THE POISON OF THE MURRY 



time to time, have been gigantic murry, or species 

 of the same group, which have come up by accident 

 to the surface of the water. Whatever may be their 

 ultimate capacity for growth, the common murry is 

 often a creature of remarkable dimensions, rendered 

 noticeable and immediately recognisable by its long 

 body and yellow dappled skin. 



Despite the relative smallness of their heads, these 

 creatures are well armed. The mouth, with its large 

 cleft, has powerful, hooked teeth on both jaws. More- 

 over, attached to the palate, it has more teeth, even 

 stronger than the others. Such a formidable array of 

 teeth harmonizes well with their combative appearance. 

 The murry look like creatures ever ready to take the 

 offensive. On the qui vive in their accustomed lairs, 

 keeping watch all round them, it would seem that, 

 like the panthers which they resemble in colour, they 

 will seize the first opportunity to dash out upon any 

 unfortunate prey rash enough to venture within reach. 

 As a matter of fact, they are not nearly so bloodthirsty 

 as rhey seem. At times, it is true, the murry catch 

 and feed upon the animals they can reach; but 

 hunting is not naturally one of their strong points. 

 They hardly ever hunt down their prey in the open 

 waters. They are inclined, in fact, to be rather lazy; 

 eaters of dead bodies and inanimate things: they enjoy 

 the numerous crumbs that fall from the tables of the 

 truly predatory species. 



This laziness, the varied nature of their food supplies, 

 an existence passed in the hollows of rocks washed by 

 pure water, conduce to make their flesh excellent and 

 finely flavoured; it is far more delicate and savoury 

 than that of the congers and common eels. The 

 epicures of the Mediterranean coast think very highly 

 of it. Soup made of the murry, grilled murry steak, 

 a grilled murry, in their opinion, are dishes fit for a 

 king. So, in our own day, they carry on an old 

 tradition. The ancient Romans also thought highly 



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