Book 7
72
There is also the sea-boar and the cremys. Aristotle, in his treatise on Animals, says, But some fish have no teeth and smooth skins, like the needle-fish; and some have stony heads, like the cremys; and some are harsher, with rough skins, like the sea-boar; and some are marked down the back with two lines, like the seserinus; and some are marked with many lines and with red spots, like the salpe. And both Dorion and Epænatus mention the sea-boar; and Archestratus says— But when you go to Acta's favour'd land, If you by chance should see a rich sea-boar, Buy it at once, and let it not escape you, Not if you buy it at its weight in gold; Else will the indignation of the gods O'erpower you; for 'tis the flower of nectar. But 'tis not all men who can be allow'd To eat this dainty, no, nor e'en to see it; Unless they take a strongly-woven mesh Of marsh-bred rush, and hold it in their hands, Well used to ply the floats with rapid mind. And with these dainties you must offer up, Thrown on the ground, some gifts of lamb and mutton.
