Note 602 — Chapter XVII

Care must be taken to distinguish between the Eel, ἔγχελυς, of the Greeks, Anguilla of the Romans, and the so-called Lamprey, μύραινα, or Muræna. Although both belong to the large family of Murænidæ, the Muræna is usually a much smaller fish, seldom over 2½ feet long. In shape and general appearance it closely resembles the Eel, but can be differentiated by its teeth and certain spots over the body. It becomes very corpulent, so much so that in late life it is unable to keep its back under water: it is easier to flay, and whiter of flesh than its relative. Apart from its mating with the viper, and its tendency (teste Columella) to go mad, its chief characteristics are greed and fierceness of attack. The second book of Oppian has two really spirited pictures of its fight with, and conquest of, the Cuttle fish, and of its rush at, but eventual defeat by, the Lobster. At Athens the Eel, at Rome the Muræna, was the favourite.