54 * 
LECTURE Vni. 
occasionally tamed to such a degree as to come at 
the signal of its master in order to receive its food. 
Its size is at least equal, if not superior to that of 
the Common Eel, and its colour a dusky greenish 
brown, pretty thickly variegated on all parts with 
somewhat angular marks and patches of dull yel- 
low, which are scattered over with dusky specks. 
I almost hesitate to relate the disgusting instance 
of barbarous cruelty practised, according to Pliny, 
by a Roman of distinction of the name of Vedius 
Pollio, who was in the habit of causing such of his 
slaves as had offended him to be thrown into his 
reservoirs in order to feed his Murasnm, expressing 
a savage delight in thus being able to taste in an 
improved state their altered remains. The Empe- 
ror Augustus honoured this man with his presence 
at one of his entertainments ; when a young slave 
happening to break a crystal goblet, was imme- 
diately ordered to be thrown to the Muraenae. 
The boy however, flying to the feet of the Em- 
peror and explaining the secret, Augustus was so 
shocked at this instance of cruelty, that he im- 
mediately ordered all the crystal vessels in the 
house to be broken before his face, and the ponds 
of the owner to be filled up ; giving the boy his 
