MUR.^NA, 337 



^gineta, is found prescribing equally for injury inflicted by 

 the spine of the Fireflair Ray, the bite of the Muraena, and 

 a wound from the Sea Scorpion — perhaps the Weever. 



Scarcely anything came amiss to the appetite of this fish, 

 but the Octopod or Teuthis was particularly a favourite prey, 

 while the eagerness on one side, and fear on the other, were 

 the occasion why in early times it was judged that there 

 existed some instinctive animosity between them. The story 

 of Vedius Pollio and the manner in which he fed his 

 Murrense is well known. He had been himself a slave, but 

 had received his freedom, and was grown so rich and high 

 in the world as to count Augustus Cajsar among his friends. 

 On one unfortunate occasion, however, when the emperor 

 dined at his house, a slave in waiting chanced to break a 

 crystal vase of great value; and, conscious of the consequence, 

 he hastened to throw himself at the feet of Augustus, Avith 

 the anxious supplication that he might not be thrown into the 

 pond to be torn in pieces by the Muraenae; an entreaty which 

 led to further inquiry, by which it came to be known that 

 such was the ordinary fate of offenders in this household. The 

 emperor was so far impartial as to order that these ponds 

 should be immediately destroyed. 



And next after this, says Pliny, there sprung up an affection 

 for individual fish, which, by kind treatment and feeding, 

 were taught to know their master and to come at his call. 

 INIartial mentions this as witnessed by himself; and it was 

 told of so eminent a man as Hortensius, that he shed tears 

 on the occasion of the death of one of these favourites; and 

 at the same villa the wife of Drusus was pleased to fasten 

 earrings, we suppose near the opening of the gills of a 

 favourite Mursena, a circumstance which attracted much attention 

 from the fashionable world. 



This fish is common in the Mediterranean, where it seeks 

 refuge in caverns of rocks, and conceals itself, especially in the 

 colder season of the year. It has many of the habits of the 

 Conger, and at times has been said to quit its native element 

 to come on land; a circumstance, however, which on inquiry 

 Spallanzani found to be very rarely known, and only when 

 urged by some necessity. It is retentive of life, but, as in the 

 Conger, a smart blow on the tail effectually disables it, which 

 VOL. IV. 2 X 



