546 SUPPLEMENT ON 



some species of hydatids nine or ten inches in length, situated 

 on the coats of the stomach, the liver, the muscles, the ovaries, 

 and other parts. 



The conger niger lives in the rocks of the sea of Nice, and 

 attains the weight of forty pounds. Its flesh is much superior 

 to that of the common conger. The epithet by which it is 

 designated is owing to its colour, which is entirely black. 



There are some other species of this subgenus, but their 

 flesh is considered as of a very inferior quality, and they are 

 distinguished by no peculiarity deserving of attention. 



Among the species of the subgenus Mur^ena (proper) we 

 shall notice, 



The common murana, Murcena Helena. This fish is about 

 three feet long, and sometimes more ; it weighs as much as 

 twenty or thirty pounds ; is very much extended in the Me- 

 diterranean, and the ancient Romans, who were well ac- 

 quainted with it, held it in high estimation, under the name 

 of murtena. It is also to be found in the other warm or tem- 

 perate seas of Europe and America, and more particularly 

 than elsewhere on the coasts of Sardinia. 



During winter this fish retires to the bottom of the water ; 

 but in all seasons it is fond of lodging in the cavities of rocks, 

 frequenting the coasts only in spring. 



Its air-bladder is small, ovoid, and placed towards the 

 upper part of the abdomen. Its stomach is a short sac, 

 where it accumulates incessantly a multitude of Crustacea, 

 fishes, and mollusca, but particularly octopi, sepias, and soft 

 zoophytes. It is so voracious, that when it fails of other food 

 it gnaws the tails of other individuals of its own species. It is 

 ovo-viviparous, and couples after the manner of the vipers. 



It is able not only to live habitually in fresh water, but also 

 to resist the action of the atmospheric air for many days 

 after it has been drawn out of the water. 



Its flesh, white, fat, and very delicate, is very agreeable 



