44 



not at all submit to the same familiarities as the 

 first, but only conducted him backwards and for- 

 wards, as the boys did their comrade. But what 

 is further surprising, and no less true, is that 

 this Dolphin, who thus played with the boys, 

 would come upon the shore, dry himself on the 

 sand, and as soon as he grew warm, roll back 

 into the sea. Octavius Avitus, deputy governor 

 of the province, actuated by an absurd sense of 

 superstition, poured some precious ointment over 

 him as he lay on the shore; the novelty and 

 smell of which made him retire into the ocean, 

 and it was not till after several days that he was 

 seen again, when he appeared dull and languid. 

 However, he recovered his strength, and con- 

 tinued his usual playful tricks. All the magis- 

 trates round the country flocked thither to see 

 the sight, the entertainment of whom, upon their 

 arrival; and during their stay, was an additional 

 expense, which the slender finances of this little 

 community could ill afford ; besides the quiet- 

 ness and retirement of the place was utterly 

 destroyed. It was thought proper, therefore, 

 to remove the occasion of this concourse, by 

 privately killing the poor Dolpin." 



The elder Pliny mentions a similar circutu- 



