FISHERIES AMONG THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND ROMANS. 13 



they spawn. The asellus was also called Bacchus on account of the wine 

 color of its mouth, and this circumstance caused Ovid to exclaim " that 

 a fish with so many excellent qualities did not deserve so ugly a name 

 as asellus (i. e., little ass.)" 



As an article of commerce the asellus was, for the most part, salted, 

 and in that shape sent all over tbe Eoman empire. 



The Eomans did not confine themselves to these common fisheries, 

 but also ventured to attack the more dangerous animals of the sea; 

 and even whales, which came into the Mediterranean, often became a 

 prey to the fisherman. 



According to Oppianus, this fishery, although only of casual occur- 

 rence, resembled very much our mode of catching whales before our 

 fishermen began to use explosive projectiles. There were attached to 

 the line, which the whale would drag under water while escaping, 

 two large leather bags filled with air, precisely like those which the 

 Greenlanders and the inhabitants of Kamschatka use. The description 

 of Oppianus is remarkable, as it contains many interesting details, and 

 seems to be entirely trustworthy. He says : " The moment the monster 

 is attacked, it dives down to the depths of the sea, and the fishermen 

 anxiously wait for its return. Their light boats plow the foaming 

 waves, and rapidly fly toward the battle-ground, where a combat is soon 

 to take place, on whose fortunate termination the keenest interest is 

 centered. The fishermen encourage each other by shouts, every one 

 strains his powers to the utmost, and the sea presents a scene of ani- 

 mated confusion. As soon as the whale shows himself again, it is at- 

 tacked with double-hooked spears. Its blood begins to flow, and colors 

 the sea for a great distance ; but like a staunch vessel, braving the 

 thunder and the lightning, the whale resists the furious attacks, some- 

 times with a single movement of its tail sweeping away the boats which 

 surround it, and mocking all the exertions of its assailants. But the 

 decisive moment approaches ; though mortally wounded, its tail still 

 throws a deluge of water over its enemies. But nothing can now re- 

 strain the zeal of the pursuers. The monster is overcome, and silent and 

 motionless it floats on the water like a conquered man-of-war after a san- 

 guinary battle. The victors then drag their prize ashore amid tumul- 

 tuous shouts of joy." 



THE SWORD-FISH. 



The ancient Eomans possessed many sword-fisheries throughout 

 the whole extent of the Mediterranean, from Byzantium to Gibraltar, 

 but they were of the greatest importance on the coasts of the Tyrrhen- 

 ian sea and in the great and shallow bay which forms the southern 

 boundary of France. The name of the promontory Xiphonion (called 

 so after the Latin name of this fish, i. e., xiphias) shows how valuable the 

 sword-fish was to the inhabitants of those coasts. 



De la Moriniere says : u One of the most common modes of fishing was 



