It does not appear that the ancients often used the sea tortoise or turtle fish as an article of food, and yet it is clear from Athenæus (viii, 17), that it was sometimes eaten. See Schweigh. (l. c.) Zenobius says that the flesh of the tortoise, if eaten in small quantities, is apt to produce tormina, and that if eaten largely, it purges. (Cent. iv, 32.) See also Actuarius (iv.) It is to be kept in view that the Mediterranean turtle is generally unwholesome, and the ancients in general could have little acquaintance with any other species. Ælian, however, makes mention of the Indian turtle. (N. A. xvi, 14.) See further Gesner (de Aquat. 1141.) The chelonopliagi, or turtle-eaters, are noticed by Strabo (xvi); Solinus (xvii); and Pliny (Hist. Nat. vii, 28.) SECT. XCII.—ON THE MOLLUSCA. The mollusca, such as polypi, sepiæ, and loligines, are hard and indigestible, and particularly the polypi. Their juices are saltish, but when digested they furnish considerable nourishment to the body. * * * * * COMMENTARY. Galen remarks that the mollusca, or mollia, have no scales, nor any rough testaceous skin, but a soft one, like that of men. Their flesh, he says, is hard, indigestible, and contains a small proportion of saltish juices; but, if digested, it affords no little nourishment to the body. The sepia, or cuttle-fish, was anciently, and is at present, much used in Rome as an article of food. Pliny states that it is laxative. He adds that it is taken in food, boiled with oil, salt, and barley-meal. Simeon Seth says of it, that it is difficult to digest, but that, if digested, it affords considerable nourishment to the body, and engenders crude humours; on which account, it ought to be taken with acrid condiments, and an old thin wine drunk afterwards. Mnesitheus, as quoted by Athenæus, says that the flesh of the mollusca is indigestible and aphrodisiacal. Apicius directs us to dress them in much the same way as recommended by Seth; that is to say, he recommends us to add to them spices, hot aromatics, wine, vinegar, and the like. The sepia of the ancients was indisputably the _sepia officinalis_ L. or cuttle-fish; the loligo probably the _loligo parva_ of Rondelet, _Angl._ calamary. The term polypus is vaguely applied, and may comprehend several species of _hydra_. SECT. XCIII.—ON THE CARTILAGINOUS FISHES. Of the cartilaginous fishes, the torpedo and pastinaca have soft and sweet flesh, which passes readily downwards, is easily digested, and proves nutritive. The flairs (_raiæ_), skates (_leviraiæ_), monk fish (_squatina_), and the like, are harder and difficult to digest, and more nutritious. In general, those animals which have hard flesh are difficult to digest, and contain much nourishment. When properly digested, they furnish much and substantial nourishment. * * * * *