1G4 MUR.ENOIDS. 



are about ^iuth of an inch in diameter, proceed, as usual, parallel to 

 each other, and parallel to the axis of the tooth at its apex, but trans- 

 versely to that axis at its sides. 



The germs of the successive teeth are developed, as in the pike, 

 in the mucous membrane covering the dentigerous surface of the 

 jaws. 



MUR^NOIDS. 



63. The teeth in this predatory family of apodal fishes are gene- 

 rally sharp at the point and cutting at the edge ; in the few species 

 which have certain teeth approaching the molar type, these are always 

 placed far back in the mouth, according to the usual law of the 

 position of the teeth that give the final comminution to the food. 



The teeth are numerous, of uniform shape and small size in the 

 true eels (Anguilla) : they are arranged in a narrow band along both 

 jaws in the sharp-nosed eel {Anguilla acutirostris) : the teeth are 

 more numerous and form a broader band on the jaws in the broad- 

 nosed eel {Anguilla latirostris) PI. 56, fig. 3 ; the anterior part of 

 the series in the upper jaw is formed by the vomerine teeth, PL 56, 

 fig. 2. In the conger {Conger vulgaris, Cuv.) the teeth are relatively 

 larger, especially at the anterior part of the vomer and maxil- 

 lary bones ; the larger teeth form a regular close-set row in each 

 premandibular bone ; the smaller teeth are almost concealed at their 

 basal interspaces, except at the fore part of the bone, where they are 

 larger and more numerous. 



The dentition of the MurcBUfS is generally of a more formidable 

 character than that of the Anguill^s. Cuvier,(l) makes mention of 

 their savage bite in allusion to the cruelty of Vedius Pollio, who is 

 said to have caused his offending slaves to be cast into his fish 

 ponds for the purpose of fattening the Murfencs. The crime which 

 brought this barbarity to light was the breaking of a crystal cyathus. 

 The slave grasped the knees of Augustus who was the guest, in 

 supphcation. The Emperor heard his prayer that he might not be 

 thrown to the fishes, discovered the horrid habit of the house, bade 

 the slave rise up a freeman, ordered all the crystal vases to be broken, 



(I) Regne Animal, vol. ii, p. 352. 



