44 EDIBLE CEPHALOPODS. 



For example, the Loligo vulgaris affords at all seasons a 

 tender and delicate dish, while the meat of L. saggittata is 

 always tough and acid, and not presentable at fashionable 

 tables. Some species of every genus was a favourite article 

 of food with the old Greeks and Romans, probably from a 

 current belief that the meat possessed aphrodisiac qualities. 

 At the nuptial feast of Iphicrates, who married the daughter 

 of Cotys, king of Thrace, a hundred polypi and sepias were 

 served up. The Greek epicures prized them most when 

 they were in a pregnant condition, and had them cooked 

 with high sauces ; while the hardy Lacedaemonian boiled the 

 animals entire, and was not disgusted with the black broth 

 formed by their inky liquor diffusing itself in the water. 

 The Octopus or Polypus was held in highest estimation. 

 The "good old story" of Philoxenus may be quoted in 

 illustration : — 



"Of all fish- eaters 

 None sure excell'd the lyric bard Philoxenus. 

 'Twas a prodigious twist ! At Syracuse 

 Fate threw hiin on the fish call'd ' Many-feet.' 

 He purchas'd it and drest it ; and the whole, 

 Bate me the head, form'd but a single swallow. 

 A crudity ensued — the doctor came, 

 And the first glance inform'd him things went wrong. 

 And ' Friend,' quoth he, ' if thou hast aught to set 

 In order, to it straight ; — pass but seven hours, 

 And thou and life must take a long farewell.' 

 ' I've nought to do,' replied the bard : ' all's right 



And tight about me 



I were loath, howe'er, 



To troop with less than all my gear about me ; — 

 Good doctor, be my helper then to what 

 Remains of that same blessed Many-feet.'" * 



The Loligo or Teuthis, served up with fat and green 

 sauce, was only less esteemed. Thus we find in the Achar- 

 nians of Aristophanes a ludicrous curse against Antimachus, 

 V. 1156: "Oh! may I see him longing for sleeve-fish, and 

 just as it lands hissing hot from the fire, and he is about to 

 fall to, may a dog snatch it away from him." And of the 



* See Quart. Rev. xxiii. 260, where the story is told at greater length. 

 We need scarcely say that from it is borrowed the well-known lines in 

 Pope : — 



"A salmon's belly, Helluo, was thy fate : 

 The Doctor call'd, declares all help too late. 

 * Mercy (cries Helluo) mercy on my soul ! 

 Is there no hope ? alas ! — then bring the jowl.'" 



Diogenes, the cynic, died of eating a polypus raw. Upon which Aldro- 

 vandus remarks : " We shall be mad if we would imitate him withholding 

 all preparation." 



