104 CRAB, SHRIMP, AND LOBSTER LORE. 



and, as miglit be reasonably anticipated, as the shore 

 was neared a sea-earned appetite of more than ordinary 

 intensity set in, and the philosopher's first thoughts 

 rested on the delicious crustaceans he had journeyed so 

 far to enjoy. The dusky fishers, roused into bustle 

 and activity by the august arrival, soon brought the 

 spoils of their crawfish hunt, rejoicing no doubt at 

 their quick success ; but the Craws were found, like 

 most other things when made the subject of long 

 anticipation, by no means equal to the exaggerated 

 standard, and were contemptuously sent with their 

 OAvners to the right-about, orders being given that 

 larger specimens might be immediately brought. On 

 being informed that to do so would be im^Dossible, 

 Apicius at once expressed his supreme contempt for 

 Africa, Crawfish, and all else, ordered his pilot to attend, 

 and gave directions for instant departure for Italy. 



Pliny speaks of Crawfish of such huge dimensions, 

 ^'•four ciibits long^^ that we are almost led to believe 

 they must have been the creation of a wild, distem- 

 pered dream rather than substantial realities. 



The tables of ancient Eome were often garnished 

 with dishes of Crawfish served with asparagus ; and it 

 is our decided opinion that many worse things are 

 daily partaken of by the gourmands of this enlightened 

 age, notwithstanding the much-vaunted march of 

 improvement in cookery. 



