[46] In reality it has scales, but they are almost imperceptible, from their minuteness.
[47] Or rather, as Dalechamps observes, “all belly.”
[48] See B. ix. cc. 44, 45, and B. xviii. c. 87.
[49] See B. ix. cc. 1, 21 and c. [53] of the present Book. There are two varieties of it, the Xiphias gladius of Bloch and Lacépède, and the Xiphias machæra of Shaw.
[50] See B. v. c. 1.
[51] Martial, B. iv. Ep. 30, speaks of this being the case at the fishponds of Baiæ, where the Emperor’s fish were in the habit of making their appearance when called by name.
[52] A village of Caria, celebrated for its sanctuary of Zeus Stratios. Ælian, Hist. Anim. B. xii. c. 30, says that there was a spring of clear water, within the sanctuary, which contained fish with golden necklaces and rings.
[53] “Inaures.” He probably means ornaments suspended from the gills, a thing which, in the case of eels, might be done.
[54] “Senum delubrum.” Ælian speaks of tame fish in the Old Men’s Harbour (λιμὴν) at Chios.
[55] In B. xxxi. c. 22.