o quantum formae sibi conscius erigit armos spargit et excussis colla superba iubis! 10 augescit brevitas doni pietate Serenae, quae volucres etiam fratribus ornat equos. XLIX. (XLVI.) _De torpedine._ Quis non indomitam dirae torpedinis artem audiit et merito signatas nomine vires? Illa quidem mollis segnique obnixa natatu reptat et attritis vix languida serpit harenis. sed latus armavit gelido natura veneno, 5 et frigus, quo cuncta rigent animata[113], medullis miscuit et proprias hiemes per viscera duxit. naturam iuvat ipsa dolis et conscia sortis utitur ingenio longeque extenta per algas attactu confisa subit. inmobilis haeret: 10 qui tetigere iacent. successu laeta resurgit et vivos impune ferox depascitur artus. Si quando vestita cibis incautior aera hauserit et curvis frenari senserit hamis, non fugit aut vano conatur vellere morsu, 15 sed proprius nigrae iungit se callida saetae et meminit captiva sui longeque per undas pigra venenatis effundit flamina venis. per saetam vis alta meat fluctusque relinquit absentem victura virum: metuendus ab imis 20 [113] MSS. _armata_ which Birt prints, suggesting _afflata_ in a note; _animata_ is Scaliger’s emendation. * * * * * Page 277 conscious he is of his own beauty as he steps high and shakes his flowing mane over his proud neck! The slight nature of the present is dignified by the affection of Serena who for her brothers decks even their swift steeds. XLIX. (XLVI.) _The Electric Ray._ Who has not heard of the invincible skill of the dread torpedo and of the powers that win it its name? Its body is soft and its motion slow. Scarcely does it mark the sand o’er which it crawls so sluggishly. But nature has armed its flanks with a numbing poison and mingled with its marrow chill to freeze all living creatures, hiding as it were its own winter in its heart. The fish seconds nature’s efforts with its own guilefulness; knowing its own capabilities, it employs cunning, and trusting to its power of touch lies stretched full length among the seaweed and so attacks its prey. It stays motionless; all that have touched it lie benumbed. Then, when success has crowned its efforts, it springs up and greedily devours without fear the living limbs of its victim.