[447] _Mosella_, 122 ff. Polemius Silvius, _Index Dierum Festorum_, more than half a century later, seems the second—such is the infrequency of mention. [448] C. Mayhoff here prints J. Hardouin’s conjecture _isox_, which was based on Hesychius’ gloss, ἴσοξ ἰχθὺς ποιὸς κητώδης. [449] Cuvier and Valenciennes _Histoire Naturelle des Poissons_, vol. XVIII., pp. 279-80 (Paris, 1846). See Introduction. If the Pike be late in literature, in heraldry it makes amends, for there is no earlier example of fish borne in English heraldry than is afforded by the Pike in the arms of the family of Lucy, or Lucius—a play on words not confined to heraldry but to be found in Shakespeare, Puttenham, and others. See Moule, _op. cit._, p. 49. [450] For the attempt to identify the _Esox_ with the _Huso_ made by a French writer, _apud Vincentium_, XVII. 53, and with the Salmon by other writers, see J. G. Schneider, _op. cit._, pp. 24 and 126. [451] Ælian, _N. H._, XVII. 32. [452] The epigram on Pope Lucius III. (1181 to 1185 A.D.), who was banished from Rome for his tyranny and exactions, is, both as a comparison and a contrast, apt. “Lucius est piscis rex atque tyrannus aquarum: A quo discordat Lucius iste parum. Devorat ille homines, his piscibus insidiatur: Esurit hic semper, ille aliquando satur. Amborum vitam si laus æquata notaret, Plus rationis habet qui ratione caret.” [453] Athen., VII. 86; “The λάβραξ has his name from his voracity, λαβρότης” (cf. Opp., II. 130). It is said also in shrewdness he is superior to other fish, being very ingenious in devising means to save himself, wherefore Aristophanes the comedian writes: “Labrax, the wisest of all fish that be.” [454] _Op. cit._ II. 127 ff. [455] _Op. cit._ I. 30. [456] _De Virtute B. Martini_, III. 13. [457] The biggest Pike ever caught in the United Kingdom seems to be the 72-pounder mentioned by Colonel Thornton in his “Sporting Tour.” Walton’s ring-decorated fish (see Gesner), three hundred years or so old, was no doubt heavier, if it were genuine. At any rate a Pike of 40-50 lbs. is very exceptional. [458] The value of the herring (_Clupea harengus_) was unknown to the Greeks and Romans, and so remained generally till the Middle Ages. “Ignorance, presumably of the real nature of the Cetaceans betrayed our forefathers into breaking Lent, for under the impression that the whale, porpoise, and seal were fish, they ate them on fast days. High prices, moreover, were paid for such meats, and porpoise pudding was a dish of State as late as the sixteenth century” (P. Robinson, _Fisheries Exhibition Literature_, Pt. III. p. 42). Some laxity may, I think, be pardoned, for the very name “porpoise” (in Guernsey _pourpeis_)—derived apparently from _porc-peis_ (_porcum_ + _piscem_)—implies that the creature was regarded as a “pig-fish.” CHAPTER XIV INFATUATION FOR FISH—EXTRAVAGANT PRICES—COSTLY ENTERTAINMENTS—VITELLIUS—CLEOPATRA—APICIUS—COOKS—SAUCES