It would not be right to omit what is said about the fish called anthias, and which I find is looked upon as true by most writers. I have already mentioned the Chelidoni?, certain islands off the coast of Asia, in the midst of a sea full of crags and reefs. These parts are much frequented by this fish, which is very speedily taken by the employment of a single method of
catching1 it. A fisherman pushes out in a little boat, dressed in a color resembling that of his boat; and every day, for several days together, at the same hour, he sails over the same space, while doing which he throws a quantity of bait into the sea. Whatever is thrown from the boat is an object of suspicion to the fish, who keep at a distance from what causes them so much alarm; but after this has been repeated a considerable number of times, one of the fish,
reassured2 by becoming habituated to the scene, at last snaps at the bait. The movements of this one are watched with the greatest care and attention, for in it are centred all the hopes of the fishermen, as it is to be the means of securing them their
prey3; nor is it difficult to recognize it, seeing that for some days it is the only one that ventures to come near the bait. At last, however, it finds some others to follow its example, and by degrees it is better and better attended, till 171 at last it brings with it shoals innumerable. The older ones, at length becoming quite accustomed to the fisherman, easily recognize him, and will even take food from his hands. Upon this, the man throws out, a little way beyond the tips of his fingers, a hook
concealed4 in a bait, and
smuggles5 them out one by one,
standing6 in the shadow of the boat and whipping them out of the water with a slight jerk, that the others may not perceive it. Meantime another fisherman is ready inside to receive them upon pieces of cloth, in order that no floundering about or other noise may scare the others away. It is of importance to know which has been the betrayer of the others, and not to take it, otherwise the shoal will take to flight, and appear no more for the future. There is a story that a fisherman who quarrelled once with his mate, threw out a hook to one of these leading fishes, which he easily recognized, and so captured it with a
malicious7 intent. But the fish was recognized in the market by the other fisherman, against whom he had conceived this
malice8; who accordingly brought an action against him for damages; and, as Mucianus adds, he was
condemned9 to pay them on the hearing of the case. These anthi?, it is said, when they see one of their number taken with a hook, cut the line with the serrated
spines10 which they have on the back, the one that is held fast stretching it out as much as it can, to enable them to cut it.
点击
收听单词发音
|
1
catching
|
|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 |
参考例句： |
- There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
- Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。
|
|
2
reassured
|
|
| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) |
参考例句： |
- The captain's confidence during the storm reassured the passengers. 在风暴中船长的信念使旅客们恢复了信心。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
- The doctor reassured the old lady. 医生叫那位老妇人放心。 来自《简明英汉词典》
|
|
3
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 |
参考例句： |
- Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
- The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。
|
|
4
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 |
参考例句： |
- The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
- I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。
|
|
5
smuggles
|
|
| v.偷运( smuggle的第三人称单数 )；私运；走私；不按规章地偷带（人或物） |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
6
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 |
参考例句： |
- After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
- They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
|
|
7
malicious
|
|
| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 |
参考例句： |
- You ought to kick back at such malicious slander. 你应当反击这种恶毒的污蔑。
- Their talk was slightly malicious.他们的谈话有点儿心怀不轨。
|
|
8
malice
|
|
| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 |
参考例句： |
- I detected a suggestion of malice in his remarks.我觉察出他说的话略带恶意。
- There was a strong current of malice in many of his portraits.他的许多肖像画中都透着一股强烈的怨恨。
|
|
9
condemned
|
|
| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的
动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 |
参考例句： |
- He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
- The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。
|
|
10
spines
|
|
| n.脊柱( spine的名词复数 )；脊椎；（动植物的）刺；书脊 |
参考例句： |
- Porcupines use their spines to protect themselves. 豪猪用身上的刺毛来自卫。
- The cactus has spines. 仙人掌有刺。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
|
