90 CHAPTERS ON THE NATURAL HISTORY 



is the " Speckled moray " (M. occlata), found from Florida and 

 Texas coasts southward, and finally, we have M. melanotis of the 

 West Indian seas, that has been captured on our Atlantic coast. 

 These eel-like fishes often attain a length of five or six feet, and 

 possess the power of striking with their tails, like some snakes. 

 Many species of them are found in the tropical seas, and a great 

 deal of interest has been written about them. The common 

 Mediterranean form is M. helence, called the " Mura3na " by the 

 ancient Eomans, who greatly esteemed its white and savory 

 flesh. They kept them alive in vivaria, and Julius Caesar dis- 

 tributed over 6,000 of these to his friends when celebrating one 

 of his triumphs. 



Still another most interesting eel family are the famous elec- 

 tric eels, w r hich come to be five or six feet long, and are common 

 in the marshes of Brazil and the Guianas. We have all heard 

 the story, so well and briefly told by Gibson, who has said that 

 the natives regard this animal "with terror," owdng to the for- 

 midable electrical apparatus with which it is provided, and 

 which extends along each side of the lower portion of the tail. 

 When this natural battery is discharged in a favorable position, 

 it is sufficiently powerful to kill the largest animal ; and, accord- 

 ing to Humboldt, it has been found necessary to change the line 

 of certain roads, owing to the number of horses that were an- 

 nually killed in passing through the pools frequented by the 

 gymnoti. These eels are eaten by the Indians, who, before at- 

 tempting to capture them, seek to exhaust their electrical power 

 by driving horses into the ponds. By repeated discharges upon 

 these, they gradually expend the marvelous force; after which, 

 being defenseless, they become timid, and approach the edge for 

 shelter, when they fall an easy prey to the harpoon of the Indian. 

 It is only after long rest and abundance of food that this fish is 

 able to resume the use of its subtle weapon. 



