Tank No. 11. 
79 
Mi 
18 l» 
The Eels, too, are inhabitants of the rocky beds. The Conger Eel, 
Conger (Fig. 136), and the Muraena (Fig. 137) will be found in tank 
No. 11 where they generally hide themselves in the pots and vases and 
only let their heads be seen. In the sea they hide in the same way 
among the rocks. The Conger Eel is a 
very voracious fish which sometimes reaches 
the enormous length of 9 feet: and even in 
captivity, thanks to it’s tremendous appetite, 
attains very considerable dimensions. He 
will go so far as devour the young of his 
own species. It is not very much prized in 
the market, but forms a cheap food for the 
poorer classes. 
The Muraena differs from the Conger 
in the absence of pectoral fins and in 
the beautiful colouring of its skin. It will, 
however, share its abode, and often two 
or three will be found crowded in a very 
small space. Their snake-like motion when 
swimming, their brilliant colour, the tall 
fin-like crest, and the curious head with 
its fixed eyes and constantly gaping mouth 
give them a very remarkable appearance. 
The Romans, as is well known, took endless 
trouble to be well supplied with this fish 
and went so far as to close off small bays 
of the sea for breeding them. According 
to Pliny, a certain Hirius is said to have 
placed before his friends 6000 Muraenae 
on the occasion of Caesar’s triumphal pro¬ 
cession. Crassus was the owner of a large 
Muraena which he decked out with gold 
ornaments and cared for in every con¬ 
ceivable way, burying it after its death and 
weeping over its grave. Yedius Pollio is 
said to have drowned several of his slaves, 
as a punishment for some fault, in his 
Muraena ponds; as he had heard that, when 
fed on human flesh, the Muraenae were the 
most delicate. Even to-day the Muraena is 
greatly prized, and the classic bay of Pozzuoli 
is one of its most famous marts. They are 
caught in creels or pots, called "Nasse”, or 
with the line, on which they sometimes 
struggle with great vehemence and are not 
easily overpowered, as they are very vicious 
and too smooth and slimy to be firmly held. 
The fishermen consider their bite poisonous : p* 
but it is probably only the shape of their i 
;. 136. Conger vulgaris, 
5 nat. size. Tank 11. 
