94 Part second. 



flocks on the muddy beds of the sea , feeling about for food with the 

 two long barbules of its lower jaw. In the Aquarium the play of these 

 tactile organs can be well studied. Sometimes they are moved about 

 slowly, and with great deliberation, in the mud, sometimes they vibrate 

 rapidly or are laid back into a furrow of the lower jaw. The Roman 

 gourmands prized this fish very greatly and , when it was the fashion , 

 they paid incredible sums for large specimens. These fish were brought to 

 the guests in glass bowls living , and , so as to enjoy the wonderful 

 play of colours which they show, Avere allowed to die slowly- in the hands 

 of the women. Nowadays the Mullet under the name of Triglia in all 

 Italian markets is a much sought but not very expensive fish. 



The Eels, too, are inhabitants of the rocky beds. The Conger Eel, 

 Conger (Fig. 59), and the Roman Eel, Muraena (Fig. 67), will be found 

 in tank 11 where they generally hide themselves in the pots and vases and 

 only let their heads be seen. In the sea they hide in the same way 

 among the rocks. The Conger Eel is a very voracious fish which some- 

 times reaches the enormous length of 9 feet ; and even in captivity , 

 thanks to its tremendous appetite, attains very considerable dimensions. 

 He will go so far as devour the young of his own species. It is not 

 very much prized in the market, but forms a cheap food for the poorer 

 classes. 



The Muraena differs from the Conger in the absence of pectoral fins 

 and in the beautiful colouring of its skin. It will , however , share its 

 abode , and often two or three will be found crowded in a very small 

 space. Their snake-like motion when swimming, their brilliant colour, 

 the tall fin-like crest, and the curious head with its fixed eyes and con- 

 stantly gaping mouth give them a very remarkable appearance. The 

 Romans , as is well known , took endless trouble to be well supplied 

 with this fish and went so far as to close off small bays of the sea for 

 breeding them. According to Pliny , a certain Hirius is said to have 

 placed before his friends 6000 Mursense on the occasion of Caesar's 

 triumphal procession. Crassus was the owner of a large Muraena wliich 

 he decked out Avith gold ornaments and cared for in every conceivable 

 way , burying it after its death and Aveeping over its grave. Vedius 

 Pollio is said to have drowned several of his slaves as a punishment 

 for some fault in his Muraena ponds , as he had heard that, when fed 

 on human flesh, the Muraenae were tlie most delicate. Even to-day the 

 Muraena is gretly prized, and the classic bay of Pozzuoli is one of its 

 most famous marts. They are caught in creels or pots, called «Nasse», 

 or with the line, on which thej^ sometimes struggle with great vehe- 

 mence and are not easily overpowered, as they are very vicious and too 

 smooth and slimy to be firmly held. The fishermen rightly consider their 

 bite poisonous, for some of their sharp teeth are connected with a poison- 

 gland. Recently it has been proved that their blood acts as a violent 

 poison (as does that of the Common Eel) when injected into the bloori 

 of a mammal.— In the Aquarium they can be kept for years. 



A quite unique appearance amongst fishes is afforded by the Sea- 

 horse and its allies, which are collectively classified as Loi^hohranchii 

 or «tuft-gilled» fishes, on account of the form of their gills. Every one 



