MUR^ENID^. 255 



pointed : those in the premaxillaries, and the canines in the lower jaw a little 

 larger than the lateral teeth : 17 to 19 along either side of the mandible. A row 

 along the vomer, the anterior of which are the largest. Gill-opening small. Yent 

 situated a little in front of the middle of the total length. Colours — a rich 

 chocolate brown, lightest along the lower surface, and covered with irregularly- 

 shaped yellow marks or spots : near the tail the colours frequently take on a 

 banded appearance. Gill-opening in a black spot as are also the corners of the 

 mouth, and folds of skin on the throat which resemble black lines. The yellow 

 spots are also extended on to the vertical fins. 



Varieties. — There are many forms of colour in this fish, some being spotted 

 others plain. 



Name. — The Murry. 



Habits. — Generally reputed fierce and voracious, but capable of being domesti- 

 cated, and even it is asserted of showing affection, while Mr. Carrington considers 

 it usually of the latter description. It frequents holes in rocks, and takes its food 

 not by reiterated snaps but in a gentle and peculiar way, by a curiously quiet 

 movement of the head, so as to bring the cheek down upon the object about to be 

 eaten, seizing it with the side of its mouth and never by the front. It is very 

 retentive of life and most readily dispatched by a blow on its tail. A wound 

 from the teeth of this fish has been deemed dangerous, and we have the tale 

 handed down to us, that on one occasion, when Augustus Caesar dined with his 

 favourite follower Vedius Pollio, and a slave chanced to break a valuable crystal 

 wine vase, the latter flung himself at the emperor's feet and supplicated that he 

 might not be thrown to the Murasnas. On inquiry it was found that his master 

 in this manner treated offending slaves who broke the decanters. The emperor 

 having heard the suppliant, first set him free, next saw the eel-ponds filled in, and 

 lastly had all the crystals broken in the presence of the guests. 



As it gets old it is said occasionally to have a propensity to become fat and 

 even to float on the surface. It is said to delight in waging war with crabs, 

 cuttles, and congers : it devours small fishes, mussels and shrimps. 



Vivaria. — Kept by the Romans as delicacies, and objects of amusement or 

 even of affection. This fish is found to live and even thrive in fresh water. 



As food. — A delicacy, its flesh being white and of good flavour. 



Habitat. — It is common in the Mediterranean, especially off the coasts of Italy 

 and Sicily. Not rare at Madeira (Lowe). An example, 4 feet 4 inches long, 

 was captured on a line at Polperro, October 8, 1834, and brought to Mr. Couch, 

 who subsequently noted in his journal that Mr. Laughrin in 1866 informed him 

 that the preceding spring a large example of this fish was caught in a trammel at 

 Fowey, and cut up as bait for crab-pots. 



The example figured died in the Royal Westminster Aquarium, and I am 

 indebted for it to Mr. Carrington, f.l.s. 



