140 History of Nature. [BooK IX. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

 Of the Echeneis. 



THERE is a very little Fish called Echeneis, 1 that keeps 

 ordinarily about Rocks. It is believed that if it adhere to 

 the Keel of a Ship it goeth the more slowly ; and from this 

 it took its Name : for the same Cause also it hath a bad 

 Reputation for its use in amatory Medicines, and in causing 

 Delay of Actions at Law and judicial Decisions. But both 

 these Offences are counterbalanced by one commendation : for 

 it restraineth Haemorrhage threatening Abortion in pregnant 

 Women, and holdeth the Child to the full Time of Birth. 

 Notwithstanding, it is not allowed to be eaten. Aristotle 

 thinketh that it hath Feet, as the Fins stand thick cne by 

 another. 



The Murex, Mutianus saith, is broader than the Purpura, 

 having a Mouth neither rough nor round, and with a Beak 

 not protruding in an Angle, but simple, the Shell on both 

 Sides turning itself inward. These Shells adhered to a Ship 

 conveying Messengers from Periander with Commission to 

 emasculate the Noblemen's Sons, and caused it to remain 

 still, although it was under Sail with a strong Gale. And 

 the Shells which accomplished this are Objects of Worship 

 in the Temple of Venus of the Gnidians. 



Trebius Niger saith that the Echeneis is a Foot long, and 

 five Fingers thick ; that it hinders the Progress of a Ship ; 



1 The proper Echeneis is the E. remora. Linn.; but from its pos- 

 sessing similar, or even firmer powers of adhesion, though by a different 

 organ, it was confounded with the larger Lamprey, Petrornyzon marinus. 

 From allusion to the feet, Aristotle, as well as Gesner, who follows him, 

 appears to include in the same class a species of Cyclopterus ; of which 

 there is one that adheres with more facility, although with less firmness. 

 We cannot avoid believing that the popular impression concerning this 

 fish was often laid hold of as an excuse, in some of the instances where an 

 unpleasant task had been slowly performed or entirely counteracted. The 

 narrative of Antony's delay at the battle of Actium (see B. xxxii. c. 1 .) 

 will only excite a smile in those who consider the much more formidable 

 attraction that existed at the time. Wern. Club. 



