408 



MUR^ENID/E. 



it is strong also, and the colours were remarkably slow to fade, 

 contrary to what is observed in most fishes. This specimen 

 was taken with a line, and manifested great strength after it 

 was taken on board the boat. 



Of this singular and beautifully marked fish Mr. Couch 

 very kindly sent me for my use a coloured drawing made 

 from the fresh specimen, from which the figure on the preced- 

 ing page, carefully reduced in size, was drawn and engraved. 



This Mursena is considered very common in almost every 

 part of the Mediterranean. It was a great favourite with 

 the ancient Romans, who preserved large quantities of them 

 in their numerous vivaria, where they were fed with great 

 care. On the celebration of one of his triumphs, Ceesar 

 distributed six thousand specimens of this Mursena among his 

 friends. 



The flesh is said to be delicately white, and very agreeable 

 eating. In the Mediterranean it is fished for with lines. It 

 is very voracious, and its bite is very severe, which, from the 

 nature of the teeth, and the large size of the muscles about 

 the head, might be expected. 



This fish is said to live with equal facility in fresh or salt 

 water, though generally found at sea. 



The vignette represents a Venetian pleasure-boat. 



