84 VORACITY. 



provided, are in perpetual motion, and although they can be 

 directed at pleasure on either side, or downwards, are gene- 

 rally inclined backwards. Kroyer imagines " these barbules, 

 which are provided with a large nerve, serve the fish as 

 organs of touch when searching for worms and other food 

 in the mud at the bottom, and perhaps also to give him 

 intimation of the approach of his prey." But Bloch, on 

 the contrary, tells us, " that in his opinion they are for 

 the purpose of attracting other fishes ; for when he plays 

 them about, the fish take them for blades of grass, and 

 when his dupes approach within reach, he pounces on 

 them." 



The silurus is a very voracious fish, and not only devours 

 other fishes, even those the best armed (as for instance, 

 the pike and the perch), but aquatic birds. He feeds 

 also on carrion, as is proved by his taking the hook 

 when baited with tainted fish or meat ; and (though 

 perhaps unjustly) is charged with attacking the human 

 species. Aldrovand speaks of a silurus near to Presburg, 

 that devoured a child who was bathing, and says that the 

 fish was captured shortly afterwards, when the remains 

 were found in his stomach. The more probable solution 

 of the story, however, is, that the poor child was first 

 drowned, and that the silurus subsequently preyed upon 

 its body. 



Opinions seem divided as to the value of the silurus as 

 food. Pontoppidan calls it a Herre Fisk, which may be 

 rendered : " a fish fit for a gentleman ;" and Holm remarks, 

 " that in consequence of its scarcity, it is reserved exclusively 

 for the royal table." But, he adds, that " the flesh, in the 

 opinion of himself and some others, is not very palatable ; as 



