226 THE AQUARIAN NATURALIST. 



ovarian pieces. The membranous sacs in which the 

 ova are secreted vary in size in proportion to the 

 maturity of the eggs contained within them, and at 

 certain times of the year are enormously distended. 

 It is in this state that the " roe of the Sea-egg," as 

 the ovaria are commonly called, is used as an article 

 of food, and in some countries they are eagerly sought 

 after, when in season, by divers employed to procure 

 them. 



In ancient times, indeed, they seem to have been 

 regarded as delicacies, "when dressed with honied- 

 wine, parsley and mint;" nay, it is recorded that 

 they composed the principal dish at the famous supper 

 of Lentulus, when he was made Flamen Martialis, or 

 Priest of Mars, a circumstance which, seeing their 

 abundance upon the shores of the Mediterranean, is 

 by no means a matter of surprise to any one who has 

 visited those enchanting regions. 



We remember upon one occasion being not a little 

 amused at witnessing the grotesque employment of 

 sea-egg fishing near the bay of Naples. After a hard 

 day's walking along the coast in the vicinity of Baiae, 

 we were taking our siesta beneath the shade of some 

 vineyards within the classic precincts of the Elysian 

 fields, eating delicious grapes purchased at the rate of 

 about a penny a hatful, and literally 

 " Lapp'd in Elysium," 



were enjoying the delightful prospect, when it was 

 proposed by our cicerone to visit the Baths of Nero, 

 as he was pleased to call them, situated at no great 

 distance. Now in Italy, after a day's pedestrian exer- 

 cise under a burning sun, the very name of a bath has 



