46 FISH AND FISHING. 



and perfect of figures among the wonderful relics of a 

 forgotten people. 



We are told that among the Greeks, though many of 

 the more refined epicures of this nation were partial to 

 the eating of the Loach ; yet the majority of the inhabi- 

 tants totally refrained from its use, lest the Syrian goddess, 

 the protectress of this fish, should gnaw their legs, cover 

 their bodies with ulcers, and devour their livers. 2 



The Eomans offered up the Tunny fish as a sacrifice to 

 the god Neptune, in order that he might deign to prevent 

 the Xipkias fish from tearing the nets of the fishermen, 

 and to forbid the too officious dolphins from assisting in 

 their escape. 3 



Martial tells us of fish which belonged to a sacred tank, 

 and which were too holy to be handled. JSlian likewise 

 mentions fish kept in a pond, and dedicated to Jupiter 

 Militant. Varro tells us of some Lydian fish which were 

 considered invested with a remarkable degree of sacred- 

 ness. In the History of Lydia by Polycharmus, we are 

 told that there was a grave on the sea shore, consecrated 

 to Apollo, where a priest usually sat to whom those 

 who had any important matter in hand would bring two 

 spits, to each of which were suspended ten pieces of meat, 

 as consulting bait, and throwing them into the gulf, be 

 desired by him to make note of what followed. As the 

 water came rushing in, the observer saw, on the back of 



2 Plutarch, De Supersti. Athen. i, 6. 



3 Nonnius, Icth. p. 9. 



