OSSEOUS FISHES. 
535 
emperor gave the slave his freedom, and, in order to manifest his in- 
dignation with Pollion, he ordered his attendants to break every vase 
of value which the freedman had collected in his mansion. 
In the present day sea-eels are little esteemed in a gastronomic point 
of view. Nevertheless they are still sought for on the coast of Italy, 
and the fishermen avoid with great care the bites of their acrid teeth. 
The Eels ( Anguilla ) have pectoral fins, under which are the gill- 
openings on each side ; the dorsal and anal fins extending up to the 
tail, mingling with this last, which terminates in a point at the extre- 
Fig. 365. The Common Conger (Anguilla Conger). 
mity. The eels are divided into two groups : 1 . The Eels {Anguilla), 
properly so called; aud, 2. The Congers. The first inhabit most 
European rivers, except in the spawning season, when, according to 
some naturalists, they betake themselves to the sea. During the 
greater part of their existence, therefore, they have no connection with 
the ocean. The Conger, on the other hand, are fishes of great size, 
which inhabit the seas of warm countries, as well as those of Northern 
Europe. The type of this family is the Common Conger, Anguilla 
Conger (Fig. 365), which differs from the true eels chiefly in the dorsal 
fins which commence very near to the pectorals ; and also in their 
