BOOK IX. Lxv. 140-LXV11, 143 



path pointed out for luxury, so that one colour might 

 be concealed by another, being pronounced to be 

 made sweeter and softer by this process ; and also a 

 method to blend minerals, and dye with Tyrian a 

 fabric ah*eady dyed with scarlet, to pi'oduce hysgine 

 colour. The kermes,'^ a red kernel of Galatia, 

 as we shall say when deahng with the products of the 

 earth, or else in the neighbourhood of Merida in 

 Lusitania, is most approved. But, to finish otf these 

 farnous dyes at once, the kernel when a year okl has 

 a viscous juice, and also after it is four years old the 

 juice tends to disappear, so that it lacks strength 

 both when fresh and when getting old. 



We have amply dealt with the method whereby 

 the beauty of men and women alike beUeves that it is 

 rendered most abundant. 



LXVI. The eenus shell-fish also includes the fan- Thevim 

 mussel. It occurs m marsny places, always in an auemiant ihe 

 upright position, and never without a companion ''*"'"• 

 which is called the pea-crab, or by others the sea- 

 pen-protector : this is a small shrimp, elsewhere called 

 a crab, its attendant at the feast. The sea-pen 

 opens, presenting the dark inside of its body to the 

 tiny fishes ; these at once dart forwai-d, and when 

 their courage has grown by license, they fill up the 

 sea-pen. Her marker having watched for this 

 moment gives her a signal with a gentle nip. She 

 by shutting up kills whatever she has enclosed. and 

 bestows a share on her partner. 



LXVII. This makes me all the more surprised that Thetorpeda, 



11 1 1 1 1 • 1 • -1 sea-froi/, 



some people have held the view tnat aquatic animals sknte, snng- 

 possess no senses. The torpedo knows her power, ^^,J^^4'j.*'^ 

 and does not herself possess the torpor she inflicts ; 

 she hides by plunging into the mud, and snaps up 



259 



