are about r^th of an inch in diameter, proceed, as usual, parallel to
each other, and parallel to the axis of the tooth at its apex, hut transversely
to that axis at it's sides.
The germs of the successive teeth, are developed, as in the pike,
in the mucous membrane covering the dentigerous surface of the
jaws.
MURÆNOIDS,
63. The teeth in this predatory family of apodal fishes are generally
sharp at the point and cutting at the edge \ in the few species
which have certain teeth approaching the molar type, these are always
placed far hack in the mouth, according to the usual law of the
position of the teeth that give the final comminution to the food.
The teeth are numerous, of uniform shape and small size in the
true eels {Anguilla) : they are arranged in a narrow band along both
jaws in the sharp-nosed eel (.Anguilla_ acutirostris) : the teeth are
more numerous and form a broader band on the jaws in the broad-
nosed eel {Anguilla latirostris) PL 56, fig. 3 ; the anterior part of
the series in the upper jaw is formed by the vomerine teeth, PI. 56,
fig. 2. In the conger {Conger vulgaris, Cuv.) the teeth are relatively
larger, especially at the anterior part of the vomer and maxillary
bones ; the larger teeth form a regular close-set row in each
premandibular bone ; tbe smaller teeth are almost concealed at their
basal interspaces, except at the fore part of the bone, where they are
larger and more numerous.
The dentition of the Murænoe is generally of a more formidable
character than that of the Anguilloe. Cuvier, (1) makes mention of
their savage bite in allusion to the cruelty of Vedius Pollio, who is
said to have caused his offending slaves to be cast into his fish
ponds for the purpose of fattening the Murænoe. The crime which
brought this barbarity to light was the breaking of a crystal cyathus.
The slave grasped the knees of Augustus who was the guest, in
supplication. The Emperor heard his prayer that he might not be
thrown to the fishes, discovered the horrid habit of the house, bade
the slave rise up a freeman, ordered all the crystal vases to be broken,
(1) Règne Animal, vol. ii, p. 352.
and commanded that the abominable fish-ponds should be filled
up.(l)A
ll Mursense have an external set of teeth, in one or more
rows, on each side of the upper jaw, which may be termed ‘ maxillary,’
as being opposed to corresponding series on the premandibular
bones; and, in most species there is a median series of teeth in the
upper jaw, supported by the vomer.
In the common Mediterranean species, {Murcena Helena, Linn.),
Cuvier(2) describes the dentition as consisting of a single row of
acute teeth on each jaw; and a short row upon the vomer, commencing
by a single large tooth.
In the Murcena anguiceps, (PL 56, fig. 4), there is also a row
of slender sharp-pointed teeth along the middle of the vomer in addition
to the single series of similarly shaped maxillary and premandibular
teeth. The anterior part of the external series in the upper
jaw is supported by the expanded anterior extremity of the vomer:
the first, fifth and tenth teeth of this row are much longer than the
rest, and resemble canine teeth. The first two teeth of the median
series are longer than the maxillary canines, and are situated
one behind the other on the middle of the expanded part of the
vomer : the rest of the series, which is confined to the narrow
posterior part of the vomer, includes very small teeth. The anterior
tooth on each premandibular bone is a long canine; the rest
are short and recurved.
The Murcena grisea has two rows of acute teeth, on each side
of the upper jaw, besides a single row on the vomer.
The lateral teeth are round and arranged in a single row in the
Murcena nebulosa ; the vomerine teeth are in two rows, and present
a conical form at the anterior part of the bone.
In the Murcena Zebra the lateral teeth are also round, but in
(1) Quemadrnodum, inquit, fecit Divus Augustus, quum cænaret apud Vedium Pollionem.
Fregerat unus ex servis ejus crystallinum. Rapi eum Vedius jussit, nec vulgari quidem
periturum morte, Murænis objici jubebatur, quas ingens piscina continebat----“ Evasit e
manibus puer : nihil aliud petiturus, quam ut aliter periret, nec esca fieret. Motus est novitate
crudelitatis Cæsar : et ilium quidem mitti, crystallina autem omnia coram se frängi jussit,
complerique piscinam.” - Seneca, de Ira, Lib. iii, c. 40.
(21 Leçons d’Anatomie Comparée, Ed. 1835, tom. iv, p. 330.