94 P ar t second. 



fins for flying through the air. (This, on the other hand, is done 

 by the Flying-fish, Exocoetus\ when they leave the water, they shoot 

 along with rapid beatings of their fins, but fall into the sea again after 

 a flight of about 100 paces, only to repeat the process. Most pro- 

 bably they are chiefly carried along by the wind, catching their large 

 outspread fins, so that we cannot really speak of "flight". Often two 

 shoals will follow each other in flight; if they keep to a fixed course, 

 one may safely assume that they are pursued by some enemy. When 

 they are near the coast, they attract the attention of gulls and other 

 birds, which chase them from above.) The Flying Gurnards live in 

 shoals at the bottom of the sea. Their flesh is tough and tasteless. 

 They grunt like Trigla when caught. They are only occasionally seen 

 in the Aquarium. 



Like the gurnards the Red Mullet, Mullus (Fig. 71), lives in 

 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. They were also brought 

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

 play of colours which they show, they let them die slowly in the hands 

 of the women. Nowadays the Mullet under the name of TTiglia 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 r 

 Conger (Fig. 61), and the Roman Eel, Mursena (Fig. 67) will be found 

 in tank 1 1 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 Mursena 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 Muraenae on the occasion of Caesar's 

 triumphal procession. Crassus was the owner of a large Mursena which 

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

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

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



