54 LECTURE VIIL 



occasionally tamed to such a degree as to come at 

 the signal of its master in order to receive its food. 

 Its size is at least equal, if not superior to that of 

 the Common Eel, and its colour a dusky greenish 

 brown, pretty thickly variegated on all parts with 

 somewhat angular marks and patches of dull yel- 

 low, which are scattered over with dusky specks. 

 I almost hesitate to relate the disgusting instance 

 of barbarous cruelty practised, according to Pliny, 

 by a Roman of distinction of the name of Vedius 

 Pollio, who was in the habit of causing such of his 

 slaves as had offended him to be thrown into his 

 reservoirs in order to feed his Muraenae, expressing 

 a savage delight in thus being able to taste in an 

 improved state their altered remains. The Empe- 

 ror Augustus honoured this man with his presence 

 at one of his entertainments ; when a young slave 

 happening to break a crystal goblet, was imme- 

 diately ordered to be thrown to the Muraenae. 

 The boy however, flying to the feet of the Em- 

 peror and explaining the secret, Augustus was so 

 shocked at this instance of cruelty, that he im 

 mediately ordered all the crystal vessels in the 

 house to be broken before his face, and the ponds 

 of the owner to be filled up ; giving the boy his 



