Musæum regalis societatis, or, A catalogue and description of the natural and artificial rarities belonging to the Royal Society and preserved at Gresham Colledge made by Nehemiah Grew ; whereunto is subjoyned The comparative anatomy of stomachs and guts by the same author.

CHAP. I. OF VIVIPEROUS FISHES.

THe RIB of a TRITON or MAREMAN. About the same length with that of a Mans, but thicker and stronger; and nothing near so much bended. The Fish to which it belonged, was taken near Brasile. Of this kind, Wormius, in his Musaeum, gives us divers Relations, toge∣ther with the Descriptions of several Species. See also Joh. de Laet. a 1.1 of the same. And Barlaeus, who saith, That in Brasile he is called Ypupiapra.

A BONE said to be taken out of a MAREMAIDS HEAD. It is in bigness and shape not much unlike that called Lapis Manati; but the knobs and hollows thereof are somewhat different.

One JOYNT of the ••••CK-BONE of a WHALE. By Anatomists called a Vertebra. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one of those Parts or Joynts which answers to one single Rib on each side. It weigheth Thirty pounds Haverdupoi•• In length, i. e. by the length of the Back-Bone, near ¼ of a foot; above a foot high; and three quarters of a yard broad, i. e. by the bredth of the Whale. The Hole in the middle of it, which the Marrow of the Back passeth through, near half a foot over. All its Knobs, are much alike those in Qua∣drupedes.

The PISLE of a WHALE. In length, above a yard. Near the Root ½ a foot round about, notwithstanding its being now dry and much shrunk. From thence it tapers to the very end, which is scarce one inch about. 'Tis now as hard as a Horn.

Part of the EAR-BONE of a WHALE. 'Tis as hard, and heavy for its bulk, as any Bone whatsoever. As big as a labouring mans Fist: The same Bone which in an Ox, is little bigger than a Nutmeg.

Part of a BONE said to be taken out of the Brain of a Whale, taken near the Bermudas. Given by Dr. John Wil∣kins, the late Bishop of Chester, to whom it was sent from thence. It seems to be part of the Brain-Pan, that was broken off and struck into the Brain, when the Whale was taken.

A ROUND BONE of a WHALE. Given by Dr. Walter Pope. 'Tis almost a foot Diametre, and in the middle about five inches thick. 'Tis rounded on the Edges, and thinner than at the middle, resembling a thick Holland Cheese.

Three more Round BONES of a WHALE; all of them lesser, and one ratably thicker than the former; the other thinner, like a white penny Loaf. The third the thinnest, almost like a Tansey.

Wormius a 1.2 makes mention of a Manuscript, entituled, Speculum Regale▪ but written in the ancient Danish-Tongue, as he saith is supposed, by King Suerron; in which are reckon'd up two and twenty kinds of Whales: of all which he gives a brief account in his Musaeum. Of which, the last save one, is said to be sometimes almost an hundred and thirty Elns long. The last of all, liker a little Island, than an Animal.

Bartholine b 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••kons up the same number; but with some different Names, and a different Account; which he gives from a Manuscript History of the Fishes of Iceland: which, saith he, a curious and observing Shep∣herd of Iceland sent to Wormius some years before his death, with all their Figures. But how these two accounts agree, I see not. I would not think, That Wormius did here put in the King, and leave out the Shepherd, to make the story better.

On the Snout of one of these Whales, called Hoddunefur, grow about five hundred horny flat pieces, which Taylors in Denmark use in making of Cloaths. a 1.4 The same in substance, with that we call Whale-Bone, belonging to the Finns. In Island they are so commonly taken, That the hard Bones are there used for the impaling of Houses and Gardens. b 1.5

The HORN of the SEA-UNICORNE. Given by Sir Joseph Williamson now President of the Royal-Society. It is an entire one, eight feet long, or about two yards and three quarters. Very beautiful in length, straitness, whiteness, and its spiral Furrows bigger and less, making about seven Rounds from the bottom to the top, or point. At the Basis or bottom, about seven inches round. From thence, for about a foot, it swells a little, and then again grows slenderer, all the way, and so ends in a sharp point. 'Tis also conically hollow at the Basis, for near three quarters of a foot deep.

The same Horn (together with the Fish it self, some∣times above 30 Elns long,) is described by Wormius. c 1.6 But I cannot, with him, call it a Tooth. In that, it per∣formeth not the office of a Tooth, but of a Horn. Nei∣ther doth it stand as a Tooth, but horizontally. Nor is it fixed in the Mouth, where all Teeth stand, but in the Snout. The reason why he calls it so, is, because it is fastened in the Snout, as Teeth are in the Jaw. See also the Description hereof in Bartholine. d 1.7 But in that he makes it to be Gyris Intortum, is not (at least as to this Horn) so clearly expressed: the Horn it self being strait, and not writhen, but only surrounded with spiral Furrows. The same is also transcribed by Terzagi out of Wormius, into Septalius's Musaeum.

Of the Virtue hereof, Wormius mentions two Experi∣ments. The one, upon its being given to a Dog, after a Dose of Arsenick: but he expresseth the quantity of neither. The other, upon twelve Grains hereof given after a Drachm of Nux Vomica. Both the Dogs lived; whereas two other Dogs having the same Doses, without the Horn, died. Both experiments are attested by several Physitians of Note.

The credit of these Persons is not doubted. But the

question is, Whether these Dogs might not have liv'd without the Horn. As some Dogs that have been bitten by an Adder, have been observ'd to get over their Con∣vulsions, and recov••••. It is also said in one of the Expe∣riments, that the Dog which liv'd, vomited: and in the other, there is nothing said to the contrary. The question therefore is, Whether many other things, which will cause vomiting, may not do as well, as this so much celebrated Horn?

Whatever it may perform against Poison, it hath, saith Bartholine, been very successfully used by Physitians in Malignant Fevers. As in that, which at Coppenhagen in the years 1652, and 1653. was very brief: and which it carr'd off with very great Sweats. a 1.8 It was used also by Albertus Kyperus at Leyden in the Year 1655. in the like Case, and with the like success. b 1.9 And that the sweating proceeded not meerly from Natures own strength over the Disease, but as she was helped by the use of the Horn; seems probable from what Bartholine further saith, c 1.10 That a scruple or ʒ§ hereof being given in Carduus-Water, or other convenient Liquor, causeth a free and copious sweating, even in those that are not used to sweat, except with much difficulty.

Heretofore, the chief Bishops in Denmark, used to make their Episcopal Staffs of these Horns. d 1.11 The Natives of Groenland, and other Places where the Sea-Unicorne is taken, arm the sharp ends of the thickest and longest of these Horns with Iron Beards, and so use them for the wound∣ing and taking of Whales.

The Sea-Unicorne is it self a lesser Whale, and is that Spe∣cies which the People of Island, where there are many, call Narwhal. The figure which Olaus Magnus gives of the Head, is fictitious.

A PIECE of the SEA-UNICORNS HORN.

The SAW-FISH. Pristis. Johnston hath given a good figure e 1.12 hereof, but without either Name or Description. And that of Wormius is defective, and in some particulars, out.

This here is a young One; from the end of the Saw to the end of the Tail, four feet. The Saw it self above a foot; near its Basis, two inches broad; at the fore-end,

one. Armed, on each side, with seven and twenty Spikes, each ½ an inch long, bended a little backward, and with two sharp edges behind, as the Spur of the Unicorne Bird hath above.

His Head very flat, about three inches long; behind, almost four inches broad; before, two. His Eyes an inch long, as much behind the Snout, two inches distant. Above ½ an inch behind his Eyes he hath two Spouts, about ¼ of an inch wide, by both which (as some Fishes by a single one) he casts out the Water, which in taking the Prey, or otherwise, he receives into his mouth. Beneath, close by the Root of the Saw, are two oblique Nostrils, an inch distant, figur'd like the letter S. An inch behind these, his Mouth, two inches and ½ over. His Lips are rugged with extream small round knobs. He hath no Teeth.

The Apertures of his Gills are five; placed obliquely, not on his sides, but his Breast, about four inches behind his Mouth.

His Trunk or Body presently behind his Head, becomes fives inches broad, and about three high; from whence it is again extenuated all the way to the end of his Tail.

He hath seven triangular Finns. On the bottom of his sides, two Gill-Finns, not behind the Gills, as in most Fishes, but for a good part before them; near eight inches long, above three broad, and almost horizontal. Three inches behind these, two Belly-Finns, two inches broad, five long, and as much distant. Directly over these, on the Back a fifth, four inches long, above three high. On the Back also, but near the Tail, a sixth, four inches long, and as high. The Tail-Finn, as it were half a Finn, being ½ a foot high, but underneath level with the Tail.

Cover'd all over with a tough and dark-colour'd Skin, somewhat rough, as you draw your hand forward: from the Belly-Finns to the end of the Tail, as it were pinched together into a little Ridge on each side. There are many of them in the Indian-Sea.

The reason why he hath two Spouts, seemeth to be the flatness and breadth of his Head or Mouth; in which the Water lying more spread, could not so expeditely be carri'd off by a single one in the middle, as by one on each side.

He is said to defend himself from the Whale with his Saw. Wherewith, by its structure, 'tis plain, that he fetches his stroak backward or side-ways, the Spikes being bended, pointed, and edged, and so made to prick and cut, that way.

The SAW or SPIKED SNOUT of the SAWFISH. 'Tis a very large one, four feet long, or above an El'n by three inches. Its Basis, excluding the Spikes, seven inches broad. On each side are seventeen Spikes, most of them two inches and ½ long, and figur'd as above described.

The length of the Fish before described, from end to end, if compar'd with the Saw is as four to one. Therefore the Fish, to which this Saw belong'd, was near five yards and half long. Again, the number of Spikes in the Saw of the Fish now describ'd, compared with those in this great Saw, is somewhat more than as three to two. Therefore had the said Fish liv'd to the Age of this to which the great Saw belonged, it would have been eight yards in length.

Five more such like SAWS, somewhat less.

The HEAD of the RAPIER-FISH; called Xiphias. By the Brasilians, Araguagua. He is pretty well described by Rondeletius. Grows sometimes to the length of five yards. The Sword, which grows level from the Snout of the Fish, is here about a yard long, at the Basis four inches over, two edged, and pointed exactly like a Rapier. He preys on Fishes, having first stab'd them with this Sword. a 1.13 The Whale, saith Ligon, to shake off the Sword-Fish and Theshall, his two mortal enemies, leaps sometimes more than his own length above water. b 1.14 He is taken frequently in the German Ocean; as also in the Black-Sea; and sometimes in the Danuby.

The HEAD of the TUCK-FISH. Of the Sword-fish kind, but a different Species from the former. Whether it be any where describ'd, seems doubtful. The hinder parts of the Head are here broken off. The Snout is not so flat as in the Rapier-fish, but thicker and rounder, more like a Tuck, from whence I take leave to name it. 'Tis half a yard long; near the Head, two inches over; about the middle, one. Not with a flat point, but one perfectly round. The upper part hereof is smooth, the nether

rough, the smooth and rough parts continu'd obliquely from the Point to the Root. Both the Chaps are also rough in the same manner, in the place of the Teeth, which this Fish hath not. The nether Chap hath also a different shape from that of the Rapier-Fish: this being not above four inches over, that half a foot; yet both are a foot long. It is composed of two Bones, so joyned together, for the space only of an inch and half, as to make a sharp point.

Marggravius and Piso (and out of these Johnston) de∣scribe an American-Fish by the name of GUEBUCU, of kin to this, the Head whereof is here describ'd. But cannot be the same, unless both the Pictures which they give, and Marggravius's Description (who particularly saith, That the Snout is sixteen inches long, the nether Chap, ten) be false. For in this Head, the nether Chap is broader, and comparatively not near so long.

The HEAD of the UNDER-SWORD-FISH. It is de∣scribed by no Author that I have perus'd. The Fish seems to be a smaller kind. The Head is of a triangular figure, having one acute Angle below, and a blunt one on each side. An inch and quarter high; the Forehead an inch over, flat, and scaly. In length 'tis about two inches and a quarter. The Eyes, proportionably, exceeding great, sc. three quarters of an inch over. The Snout half an inch broad, not above ¼ of an inch long, a little ridged in the middle. The Chaps, instead of Teeth, are rough with many little Asperities, almost as the skin of a Scate.

The Sword grows in a level, not from the upper but the under Jaw, from whence we may give the Fish his Name. In length three inches; near the Jaw half an inch over, from whence growing narrow all the way, it endeth in a Point like that of a Sword. It is not round, but flat, as that of the Rapier-Fish, and in like manner two-edged. It seemeth to be composed of two Bones, but very firmly coherent edge to edge all the way. Whether this Fish be Viviperous, is uncertain; yet being of the Sworded-kind, I have ventur'd here to describe the Head.

A pair of the MANATEE-STONE'S. Taken out of the Head of the SEA-COW, by the Indians called Manati. Bigger than the biggest sort of Walnuts; with several

knobs and hollows, like as in the Ear-Bone, but much greater. It is said by Joh. de Laet to be much com∣mended against the Stone. There are two of them in every Head.

The Head of the Manati is like that of an Ox or Cow, from whence the English Name; his Eyes little; his Body long, like that of an Otter; his two Feet like an Elephants. Sometimes he is about thirty five feet or twelve yards long, and four broad. a 1.15 He feeds not on Fishes, but the Grass on the banks of the Creeks and Bays. b 1.16 Calves and suckles her Young (as some other Fishes) with two Duggs. c 1.17 A certain Indian King kept and fed one of them with Bread six and twenty years in a Lake near his House, which grew tame, beyond all that the Antients have written of Dolphins: He would sometimes carry ten people on his Back, with ease, a cross the Lake. d 1.18 They breed in Hispaniola, Jamaica, Brasile, and other places.

The BALANCE-FISH. Zygaena Libella. Curiously pictur'd in Salvian. Where also see the Description. He hath his Name not unaptly from the shape of his Head, very different from that of all other Fishes, being spread out horizontally, like the Beam of a Balance; his eyes standing at the two extremes, as the iron Hooks do at the end of the Beam. He grows sometimes to the length of four or five yards: but this is a young one. They breed in the Mediterranian, especially, saith Bellonius, near Smyrna.

The HEAD of a great BALANCE-FISH. It is two feet ½ over, or from eye to eye. The Head of the lesser now mention'd, is five inches over, the Fish, 20 inches long. That therefore to which this great Head belong'd, was ten foot long.

The SKULL of the MORSE: so called by the Musco∣vites; by the Danes, Rosmarus. He hath four feet, and his Body shapen not much unlike the SEA-CALF. But grow∣eth sometimes to be bigger than an Ox. In his upper Jaw, he hath two remarquakble TUSKS, bended a little inward. In this Skull, the exerted part is five inches long, and four round about at the Root. His other Teeth are undescrib'd. They are sixteen, eight on each Jaw. Not Grinders but Punchers, or somewhat answer∣able

in shape to the Tusks of a Dog. In the upper Jaw, the longest; standing on each side, two or three of them, within side of the Tusks. They have a small flat on their insides, against which the Teeth of the under Jaw work; which are much smaller, and flat-sided. The shape of these Teeth seems no way fitted, and their strength very superfluous, for the eating of green Leaves at the bottom of the Sea, as this Animal is supposed to do.

The Figure which Olaus Magnus gives of this Animal, is fictitious. But that in Joh. de Laet (as to the Head at least) is a very good one: from whom Wormius borrows his. One of the Cubs is accurately described by Everh. Vorstius, quoted by John de Laet, by Wormius, and by Ter∣zagi in Septalius's Musaeum. This Animal, when he goes, drags his hinder part after him, as the Seal. They always, saith Scaliger, a 1.19 come on Land in Companies; and when they sleep, one of them, as among Cranes, is set to watch. They climb upon the Rocks on the Sea-side by the help of their great Tusks, wherewith, as with two Hooks, they hold themselves from sliping. They breed numerously near St. Lawrence Isle.

Their Tusks are used by the Turks and Tartars for the making of Sword-Handles. b 1.20 I have a Girdle, saith Wor∣mius, c 1.21 composed of Plates made of these Tusks; which being worn, is an infallible Remedy against the Cramp: à Spasmo proculdubio immunes reddit.

A piece of a MORSE-HIDE. Than which, saith Wormi∣us, I believe there is no Animal hath one more close and solid. I add, nor perhaps any that hath a thicker, being above half an inch thick.

A PISLE, said to be that of the MORSE. 'Tis above a foot long, and seems to be only the exerted Part. At the Glans, half a foot about, now it is dry. The Muscovites, saith Vorstius, d 1.22 take the Powder hereof to bring away the Stone.

The MALE or WHITE SHARK. Canis Carcharias mas. See the Description hereof in Rondeletius. This is about two yards long, and near ¼ of a yard over, where thickest. But they are found sometimes seven or eight yards in length, and more. One hath been taken, saith Gesner, from an other person, near four thousand pounds

weight. The sharpness and multitude of his Teeth espe∣cially, and the widness of his Mouth, are remarkable. They will often bite off the Legs or Arms of those that ven∣ture into the Sea in a Calm; and sometimes swallow them up whole. a 1.23

Their Teeth generally stand in a six-fold Row; but Bellonius observes one with four Rows only. There are some other Fishes which have as many, and the Scate hath more: but take their Number and Bigness together, and they are more considerable. In Septalius's Musaeum, there is one, saith Terzagi, (in words at length) with a thou∣sand and two hundred Teeth. But neither hath this here, nor had any other that I ever read of, near half so many.

Of his Optique Nerves, Rondeletius observes, That they are not, as in other Animals, but plainly Cartila∣ginous.

The Goldsmiths in France, saith the same Author, set the Teeth of the Shark (which there they call Serpents Teeth) in silver-Cases; and the Women hang them about their Childrens Necks, to make them breed their Teeth the bet∣ter. The Brain of the Shark, saith Wormius, b 1.24 is highly commended by some for the Stone. The people of Island, saith the same Authour, boil them for Lamp-Oil. They are found sometimes upon our own Coast, near Corn∣wall.

The LONG-SNOUTED SHARK. So I call it, be∣cause it is much longer, than in the above-mentioned; so as to be as it were the beginning of a Horn. The Body of this likewise, in proportion, is much shorter and thicker. Rondeletius seems to give the Figure of this particular Species.

There is no sort of Animal, saith Aristotle, c 1.25 about us, which hath a double Row of Teeth. So that he never saw a Shark, nor divers other Fishes that are commonly known, and such as are not unlikely to breed about Greece. That he includes Fishes, is plain by the Con∣text.

The GILL-FIN of the long-snouted Shark.

The JAWS of a SHARK. There are six or seven pair of these here preserved. Terzagi mentions one pair

in Septalius's Musaeum, that were wide enough to have swal∣lowed any Man.

Two great TEETH of a SHARK. They are both curiously indented, like a Saw, on each edge: as also the Teeth are in younger Sharks, but not so visibly. One of these is above an inch and half long. But one of those in a Shark of above two yards in length, is not half an inch. The Shark therefore, to which This belonged, was about eight yards long.

What the Teeth of a Shark wants in thickness, they have in breadth, whereby they are the more terrible; both pricking with their Points, and cutting with their Edges at the same stroak.

Part of the BACK-BONE of a SHARK.

The TOOTH of a PICKED-DOG. Not much un∣like that of a Shark. The difference is, That the exerted part of this is bended, not inwards, but side-ways.

The SPOTED HOUNDFISH or SEA-PANTHER; Galeus Asterias; because of the Stars or Spots upon his Skin. But the radiation of the Spots in the Figure commonly given, is fictitious. See Rondeletius's Description. He hath a rough Skin, as have all of this kind. Yet this Author saith, he hath a smoother Skin, than the Galeus laevis: which, however comparatively taken, it may be true, is not well expressed of either. The said Roughness is caused by an infinite number of most hard and sharp Prickles, composed in the same manner as the Scales of Fishes.

The Female brings forth often times twice in one month, and so is said to Superfoetate: which, saith Aristotle, a 1.26 seems rather to be, because her Eggs are hatched (in her Womb) one after another.

The PICKED-DOG. Galeus Acanthias. Because he hath two strong and sharp Spikes growing on his Back, behind the two Finns, and pointing towards his Tail. See the Description in Salvianus and Rondeletius. Besides the two Finns which grow on each side the Anus, the Males, saith Salvian, b 1.27 have also two Appendices, one on each side the Anus. But betwixt the Anus and the Tail there is no under-Finn; by which he differs from the rest of the Dog∣kind. He is said scarce to grow so big, as to exceed twenty pounds in weight. His Skin is rough with the like Prickles,

as in the former; so small, as scarcely visible without a Microscope. But easily felt by drawing your hand towards the head. The shape also of the Teeth is odd and un∣usual, being armed with little sharp Hooks on each edge. They are taken sometimes upon our English Coast.

The Anatomy of the Galeus (the Male) is given us by Sir George Ent, in Dr. Charleton's Onomastic. Zoic. Some of the most observable Remarks, are the peculiar shape of the Pancreas, and especially the Spleen, having a Label produ∣ced from one side, above twice its own length. Likewise the Purse at the farther end of the Duodenum, into which it opens only by a very small round Hole, not so wide as to receive the end of ones little finger: all which are de∣scribed and figur'd. He hath also growing on the lower Eye-lid, a thick and firm Membrane, wherewith he often winkles or covers his whole Eye: the same with that called the Periophthalmium, common to very many Birds.

The Description of the Viviparous Eggs in the Female; which are not unlike to those of the Raya, is given by Ron∣deletius. Bellonius hath seen an indifferent One, to bring forth thirteen young ones at a Birth. So soon as ever she hath brought them forth, they swim along with her, and if any of them are afraid of any thing, it runs imme∣diately into the Mouth, say some, into the Womb of the Dam: when the fear is over, returns again, as if by a second Birth.

The Skin is used for the polishing of Wooden and Ivory Works.

The HEAD of a DOLPHIN, about a foot and ½ long. The Dolphin therefore to which it belong'd, was above two yards and half long. In the Skin, 'tis hard to find any passage of sound for Hearing. And Aristotle denies that the Dolphin hears. But Rondeletius truly saith, that he doth, and that the whole structure of the Internal Ear may be seen in the Skull. See Bellonius's Description and Figure of the Dam and her Foetus.

The HEAD of a DOLPHIN, lesser than the former.

The TAIL of the DOLPHIN. It is expanded (as al∣so in the Porpess) in a way peculiar, not uprightly, as in other Fishes, but horizontally: by the help of which, he makes his Gamboles above the Water. And at the same

time takes his Breath: as Mr. Ray hath well observed of the same use in the Porpess. It is also of use to cast him forward by strong and repeated jirks, whereby he is so ad∣mirably swift, as it's said, above all other Fishes. a 1.28 There is also another Dolphins Tail here preserved of the same bigness.

The SKELETON of a PORPESS, or Sea-Hog. b 1.29 The Description and Anatomy of the Animal is given us by Bartholine (Hist. Cent. 2.) By Mr. Ray (Phil. Trans. N. 76.) By Dan. Major (Miscel. Curios. German. An. 4.) And lately more largely by Dr. Edward Tyson. Some of the particu∣lars more remarkable are, That the Fat, which is an inch thick, encompasseth the whole Body, as in a Hog. That the Fibers which run through the Fat from the Membrana Carnosa to the Skin, do obliquely decussate one another like a Lattice. And I may here observe, That the like Decussation is made betwixt the white and red Fibers of all Muscules.

'Tis further noted, That the Fat is nothing else but Oil contained in a great number of little Bladders. I add, That all these Bladders are the continuation of the Fibers which decussate, in a finer Work. And that there is no difference betwixt the said Fibers and those of the Membra∣na Carnosa, saving their Relaxation, (as when a Spung swells with water) by the interposition of Oil.

The Stomach remarkable, consisting of three Bags. The Guts eleven times the length of the Fish. The Glands of the Kidneys so distinct, that each having a white substance in its centre, and out of that its Papilla, seemed to be another little Kidney, about the bigness of a large Peas. And I shall here take notice, That the whitish substance within every Gland, and the same which is in the Kidneys of other Animals, is truly Carneous or Muscular, by which the conveyance of the Urinous parts of the Blood into the Pelvis is promoted.

The Paps are placed one on each side the Pudendum. The Ovaria (it being a young Fish) not above an inch long, and thick as a Goose-Quill. The Diaphragme, with∣out the usual Tendon in the centre. The Heart, with two Ventricles and two Auricles. The Foramen Ovale, closed. The Lungs consisting of two great Lobes. The Larnyx

very prominent, oddly shaped, like an old fashion'd Ewer. The Spout with strong Muscules; and Papillae for the issu∣ing of Snot. The Eye with the Musculus Suspensorius, as in Bruits. The Brain large, weighed above lbj averdupois, the Fish lbxcvj. The Musculus Psoas, and two others on the Back, very large and strong.

The Teeth (96 in all) so placed, that those of one Jaw, are received into the distances of the other. Stand not in distinct Sockets, but all in one common Furrow. The Ear-Bone is oddly seated in a hollow, and encompassed with Muscules. The Drum well braced, but no Incus stapes & Malleolus to be seen. The Brain-Pan five inches broad, and but three long; the Brain answerable. The Back-Bone is composed of sixty Vertebrae. The same number, as is before observed to be in that of a Crocodile. The Bones of the Fore-Finns, resemble those of an Arm with Hand and Fingers. Of the Tail, like those of two feet joyned together.

From the Nose to the Tail-end about an Ell long, and roundish, the Eyes and the Gape of the Mouth small, the Back and upper parts black, the Belly white, the Tail hori∣zontal: much like a Dolphin, saving that she is shorter snouted.

The SEA-CALF or SEAL. Phoca. Vitulus Marinus; From the noise he makes like a Calf. See Rondeletius's Description. His Head comparatively not big; shaped rather like an Otters; with Teeth like a Dogs; and Musta∣ches like those of a Cat. His Body long, and all over hairy. His fore-Feet, with Fingers clawd, but not divided; yet fit for going. His hinder Feet, more properly Finns, and fitter for swimming, as being an Amphibious Animal. The Female gives suck, as the Porpess and other Vivipa∣rous Fishes. This here is about a yard long. But some∣times they are as big, saith Mr. Ray, as a Heifer of two years.

The Skin of this Fish is commonly used for the cover∣ing of Trunks. They are innumerable in the Atlantick-Sea; especially the Bay there called The Seal-Bay. a 1.30 Our Mariners and Fishermen often take them in the Isle of Wight, as they lie asleep upon the Shore. b 1.31 As also about Cornwall.

Another SEAL like the former, only somewhat thicker. Given by Mr. J. Houghton, Ph. L.

The LONG-NECK'D SEAL. I find him no where distinctly mention'd. He is much slenderer than either of the former. But that wherein he principally differs, is the length of his Neck. For from his Nose-end to his fore-Feet, and from thence to his Tail, are the same measure. As also in that instead of fore-Feet, he hath rather Finns; not having any Claws thereon, as have the other kinds.

The SKULL of a SEAL. Given by Henry Whistler Esq. The Teeth are shaped somewhat like a Dogs. The tops of them all are flat, being doubtless filed off. The processus of the Os Frontis which makes up the Orbit of the Eye in Land-Animals, is here wanting; and the said Bone pinched up much more narrowly: Both to make room, as it should seem, for a very large Eye. The passage into the Ears stands very oddly. In Dogs, Cats, and most other Land-Animals, forward and outwardly. But here it stands just oppositely, sc. behind and inwardly.

The FORE-FOOT of a very great SEAL.

The VIVIPAROUS EEL-POUT. Mustela marina vi∣vipara. (the Male, Lupus marinus Schonfeldii.) 'Tis well pictur'd by Adam Oleareus, a 1.32 who calls it a Sea-Wolf (Ein See-Wolf). As also by Johnston; but not described. But in Gesner's Paralypomena 'tis both figur'd and described by Ge. Fabritius under the Name of Klipfisch (i. e. Rock-Fish,) so called by the people near the Baltick (where he breeds.) Fabritius is particular only as to the Teeth, and is also mistaken in some things. I shall there∣fore add the Description I drew up before I met with his.

'Tis a yard long. The Head ½ a foot long, and almost as high; being compressed on the sides, three inches and ½ over underneath, her Forehead but a little above two. Her Snout a little Convex. The Eyes very high, an inch long. The Nostrils before the Eyes ¼ of an inch. Both the Chaps blunt-angled before, from the Corners of the Mouth three inches long, between the Corners, as much.

The Teeth all very thick, like those of Quadrupedes; both in figure and scituation, very unusual. In the upper Jaw, five before; not Incisors, or Cutters, but thick Pun∣chers. To the Roots of which, within side, grow as it were nine little Teeth. Behind, are three Grinders; one

of which, on each side, is fasten'd obliquely inwards, half an inch broad, and above an inch long. The third, and the great∣est, stands betwixt them in the middle of the Palate. Each of these having deep Incisions, seem, as it were, eight or ten Teeth. In the under Jaw, are two Punchers or Claviculars, each of them having two sharp Processes within side. Be∣hind, there seems to be only one Grinder on each side, half an inch broad, and above two inches long, arched inward, and with sixteen or eighteen Incisions looking like so many Teeth.

Her Gills open almost from the top of her Head to her Throat. The Fins are four. The Gill-Fins about five inches long, and as broad, placed so low, as to meet in the Breast, and so to supply the Breast-Fins. The Back-Fin is extended from Head to Tail; before, an inch high; behind, above two. The Belly-Fin reaches from the Anus (which opens a foot behind the Head) to the Tail, about an inch deep. The Body, where highest, above ½ a foot, the Back a little convex, grows slender all the way to the Tail, the extre∣mity whereof is here wanting. She is cover'd with a tough Skin, now of an Iron-colour, besprinkled all over with round spots.

That which is most remarkable in this Fish, are his Teeth: which are so made, as to be fit either for Ravine, or for the eating of Grass and other Herbs on the Rocks, and un∣der Water. They seem also to be made for the Cracking of Shell-Fish. As likewise for Rumination: which may as well be ascrib'd to this Fish, as to the Scarus.

This Fish is one, amongst divers other instances of Aristo∣tle's error, where he saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. a 1.33

The tops of this Fishes Grinders are commonly sold for Toadstones. As Dr. Christopher Merret hath also observed in his Pinax.

The SCATE, or Angel-Fish. Squatina, sive Angelus Marinus. The figure in Johnston is tollerable. But the De∣scription very short and imperfect. That of Rondeletius is better, yet not full. And either the Fish he describes is a different Species, or his Description of the Teeth is not true.

This is above an Ell long. His Head about ¼ of a yard

long, and near as much over, (here) with several Angles or Ridges: His Mouth five inches over, his Lips almost Semilunar.

Each of his Jaws are armed with about six and thirty Rows of most sharp Teeth, and in every Row there are four Teeth. So that in all they are about two hundred four∣score and eight, all couched a little inward.

About three inches behind his Nose-end stand his Eyes, as it were on the top of his Head, and three inches and ½ distant. Proportionably very small, sc. not above ½ an inch over. About an inch and quarter behind his Eyes, and a little lower, he hath two Spouts, one on each side, above an inch long, and convex before. His Neck ½ a foot over. His Back before, three inches above a foot, expanded (here) on both sides, as if it were shoulder'd. His Middle or Wast about eight inches. The lower part of his Back, ten inches, spread like a pair of Buttocks. From his Shoulders to the bottom of his Buttocks about a foot and ½. The length of his Tail, as much: the forepart whereof above four inches over, growing slenderer all the way to the end.

He hath seven Fins. His Shoulder-Fins with Cartilagi∣nous Rays, expanded ½ a foot out like a pair of Wings, and almost square. His Buttock-Fins prolonged hinderly ½ a foot, stand continguous to the Tail on both sides. On the top of his Tail, two lesser; three inches high, and couched backward. At the end a forked one ½ a foot long, and almost as high. From hence half a foot forward, the Skin is as it were pinched up into a little Ridge or Doublet on each side.

Above he is very rough with innumerable small Prickles, especially felt upon drawing your hand forward. And the edges of the four side-Fins are all thorny. But underneath the Skin is so thick or closely cover'd with little hard round knobs, as it seems almost smooth.

This Fish hath two Spouts, like the Saw-Fish, because of the breadth of his Head. His Teeth admirable for taking sure hold of the most slippery Prey. Those Doublets on the sides of his Tail, seem to add strength to the Muscules which move the Tail-Fins. And so in some other Fishes. By the posture of the Fins he seems to make at the Prey, not by a forward stroke, but by ascending as a Dog to his

Meat, or descending as a Hawk when she stoops. With the broad Fore-Fins, saith Oppian, the Female shelters her Young, as a Hen her Chickens with her Wings. But Aristotle affirms, That she gives them protection as doth the Dogfish, by receiving them into her mouth. He also saith, That of the Cartilaginous kind the Scate only beareth twice in a year, sc. Spring and Fall.

Salvianus a 1.34 saith, That the Skin of his Back is smooth; deceived by the Authorities of Aristotle, Epicarmus, Athenaeus, and Pliny: witnesses enough to prove an Error. The Skin of this Fish is used for the polishing of Wooden and Ivory Works. He is taken, saith Mr. Ray, sometimes near Cornwall.

Another SCATE. 'Tis a young one, but in shape altoge∣ther like the former, saving that the Shoulder-Fins are here produced, more like a Wing, into a sharp Angle before.

The HEAD of a SCATE, about the bigness of that above described. Sometimes they grow to the weight of a hundred and sixty pounds.

The HEAD of the GREAT MAID. Caput Rajae Oxyrrhynchae majoris. See the Description of this and the other Kinds in Rondeletius, and Bellonius. They all differ from other Fishes, in having a broad and squat Body, with a long slender Tail appendent, but not so slender, as in the Cat-Fish. The end of the Snout in this, is all beset with little sharp Hooks pointing backward. And with the same Hooks, both the Jaws: but far bigger, and standing in se∣veral Rows, eight, ten, or twelve in a Row.

The Skin of the Raja, being artificially reduced to a monstrous shape, is by some shewed, and is commonly taken, for a Basilisk.

The EGG of a THORNBACK. Ovum Rajae Clavatae. Or rather the Bag or Case of the Egg. Hereof see Ron∣deletius. 'Tis very smooth, and (now) black and horny. Seven inches long, and four over. From each of the four Corners is stretched a sharpe ended Membrane two inches long. In the middle it swelleth up on both sides: so that in shape 'tis just like a Pulpit-Cushion. There are some other lesser ones of the same shape and colour.

In the upper part of the Womb, saith Rondeletius, are a great number of Eggs of several sizes, consisting only

of a Yelk, as in the Ovary of a Hen. These successively ripening, are found in the lower part, consisting of Yelk and White, and cover'd with the said horny Case. Out of every one of these mature Eggs, another Foetus is also suc∣cessively generated. Whereby it is intelligible, How this Fish produceth but one at once, and yet so numerous a breed.

The SKREW-GUT of the RAJA, described by Steno's Son. Sent by Dr. Swammerdam with some other particulars mention'd in the first Section. It winds between parallel lines like a Screw or Stair-case.

The knobed TAIL of a THORNBACK. Of an ash∣colour, and about a yard long.

The spiked TAIL of a THORNBACK, almost black. The knobs of both are so hard, that they will file Iron or Brass. The Skin of this Fish is used for Knife-hafts, &c.

The smooth CAT-Fish. Pastinaca marina laevis. Fabius Columna, a 1.35 hath described two Species of this kind: but both of them seem to be different from the Fish here. It is somewhat phantastically stuffed; yet I shall give the De∣scription as well as it will admit.

From the tip of his Snout, to his Tail, a foot and three inches, about a foot over, and ½ a foot (being, I suppose, thrust out somewhat more than the natural dimension by the stuffing) in height. His Eyes ½ an inch long, two and ½ inches distant, three and ½ behind his Nose-end. Just be∣hind his Eyes, and a little more distant, he hath two Spouts, one way, an inch and ¼ over. His Snout prolonged for∣ward an inch and ½ with an Obtuse Angle; and extended towards the side-Fins, wherewith it is also joyned by the mediation of a Skiny-Border ½ an inch broad. His Mouth very little, not an inch and ½ over; curiously rough-cast like a file, underneath, and behind his Snout-end two inches and ½. Over his upper Chap hang two little Labels above ½ inch long.

His Gills are five on each side, but towards the middle of his Belly. He hath four side-Fins. His fore-Fins are stretched out two inches in breadth, extended in length towards the Tail, almost a foot. The hinder-Fins are almost two inches broad, and above an inch and ½ long.

The Tail a foot and two inches long, at the Root about an inch and ½ over, the extremity very small like a Shoo∣makers Thread. The Skin not very thick, nor stubborn, (now) of a yellow colour on the back, on the Belly straw∣colour'd: every where very smooth, excepting on his Tail, where there are some few very short prickles.

Whether this be not a young Fish, and upon that ac∣count only wanteth the Radius (as the sharp Saw upon the Tail is called) to me is uncertain. With this Radius he is said to strike and kill his Prey, for which he lies as it were dormant, till it swims within his reach. Aelian, cited by Rondeletius, saith, That he sometimes flies. Which that he may do a little above the water, as the flying Fishes, seems possible by the horizontal production of all his Fins, and their extension all along his sides.

The Chineses and Moors eat this Fish greedily.

The nether LIP of the smooth CAT-FISH, two inches long.

The BRASILIAN FROG-FISH. Rana Piscatrix minor. In Brasile, GUACUACUYA. The figure which Johnston gives is tolerable; but his Description very defective. The length of this is eight inches. His Mouth open makes a Circle ¼ of an inch over. His Lips, in the usual place of Teeth, are rough; as also is his Tongue. He hath a black Horn on his Forehead, stooped forwards, round, an inch and ½ long, one third over at the bottom, pointed, and having little Spikes round about it. What Johnston means by the Cuteus Nervus, appears not. At the top of his Head, just under the Horn, stand his Eyes a ¼ of an inch over, and (here) no more distant. The Nostrils a little before the Horn.

His Body two inches and ½ long, and four broad; be∣fore, Semilunar. His Back convex, his Belly flat; with a Border or Fin all along each side ½ an inch broad. Behind are subjoyned a pair of Fins almost two inches long, and an inch and ½ wide. In the middle of his Belly are two other lesser close together, above an inch long, but not more than ¼ broad.

The length of the Tail four inches and ½. At the root 'tis round, and an inch over; at the end, with the sides com∣pressed, and ½ an inch high. The Tail-Fins three, one

above, another just under it, the third at the end much bigger. The Skin of his Belly and Tail underneath, whi∣tish, thin, and rough. Of his Backside, Fins, and Tail above, black, thick and set with short spikes arising from a round Base radiated like a Star. He seems, by his shape, to be near of kin to the Thornback; and therefore to be less appo∣sitely Nam'd.

A lesser Brasilian Frogfish of the same kind.

The TRUMPET-FISH. So called from the figure of his Bill, which is an entire Pipe, shaped almost like that of the Snipe-Fish. Acus Aristotelis. Well described by Ron∣deletius; saving, that he describes the Body to be Sex∣angular all along. Whereas from the Head to the Anus it is Septangular. The Scales are also engraven with small lines almost of an Elliptick figure. Salvianus errs in saying he is not scaly. Another also of the same Species.

The Female, saith Rondeletius, hath a Canale extended from her Anus, in which the Eggs are hatched into young Ones. Of the use of the Bill, see the Snip-Fish.

The lesser TRUMPET-FISH, or Viviparous Needle-Fish.

The HORSE-FISH. Hippocampus. A small Fish. So called, because his Head is shaped like a Horses, and his Tail divided by several Incisures, somewhat like those of Caterpillars, called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Given by Mr. Scotto a London Merchant. It hath the same number of Fins, and in the same place, the same kind of Bill, the fore-Body Septan∣gular, and the Tail square, as the Trumpet-Fish. And is, therefore probably, also Viviparous: and so I have ventur'd to place it here.

Another HIPPOCAMPUS taken in the Mediter∣ranean.

A STURGEON. Acipenser. Sturio, because one of the greatest of edible Fishes; for Stur, in the Danish-Tongue, signifies Great. a 1.36 See Wormius his Description. Especially that of Salvianus, with his curious figure. The like in Besler. The parts by which he is best distinguished, are his very long and sharp Snout, his little Mouth, to be seen only when he lies on his back, and his thick and bony Scales; which stand in Rows so, as to make the Fish al∣most Pentangular. The figure of most of the side Scales

is Rhomboidal. It is affirmed by Moufet, a 1.37 That the Scales of a Sturgeon turn towards the Head; borrowing his Error herein of Pliny.

Lately, a piece of a Sturgeons Gut was shewed me by Dr. Edward Tyson, which he had cut off of a great One sent to my Lord Major. It is very thick, strong and Mus∣cular. And the inner Coat made of Fibers, so loosely woven together, as to look like a Net; and that above the eighth of an inch in thickness. In which a plenteous Chyle is conveniently lodged, and thence gradually trans∣mitted to the Lacteal Veins.

Scaliger saith b 1.38 of the Guts of a Sturgeon, that being taken out and cut all to pieces, those pieces will still move. Which may partly depend upon their great thickness and muscularity; the like being observable in cutting the Heart and other Muscular parts of divers Animals.

The Sturgeon is taken in most great Rivers, as well as in the Sea. He hath sometimes been seen, saith Bellonius, six yards long. The bigger he is, as all other Fish, the better meat. The Italians c 1.39 prefer the Belly before the Jole. His Liver very delicate. At Hamburge and Dantsick they eat (or did in Moufet's time, who reports it, eat) Sturgeon roasted. In the same Author, see a most excel∣lent Pickle for this Fish. The Eggs being salted and made up into a Mass, were first brought from Constantinople by the Italians, and called Caveare. Of the way of making it, see Gesner. The pickled pieces made of the Chine, are by some called Schinalia. Of the long Bag d 1.40 which grows next the Chine, the people that live near Tanais make Glew.

The HEAD of a great STURGEON.

MOON-FISH. Mola Salviani Luna; Because the Tail-Fin is shaped like a Half-Moon, By which, and his odd trussed shape, looking as if he were only the Head of some great Fish cut off from his Trunk, he is sufficiently distinguished from all others. Well described by Rondeletius and Sal∣vian; and by this latter, very curiously pictur'd. The Gill-Fins, as he observes, are so postur'd, as not to move from Head to Tail, or vice versa, but from Back to

Belly, & è contra. The use whereof seems to be, To ena∣ble him to make a more direct and sudden descent; that so when any Ravenous Fish makes full speed at him, he may in an instant strike himself under his way, and so escape him. It may also be noted, That being a tall Fish, and with his sides much compressed, he hath a long Fin upon his Back, and another answering to it on his Belly: by which he is the better kept upright, or from swaging on his sides.

Another MOON-FISH of the same Species, but some∣what lesser. Neither of these is above ½ a yard long. But that which Salvian describes, was above an hundred pounds weight. They are taken, as Mr. Ray saith, about St. Ives and Pensans in Cornwall.

Notes

• a 1.1

  L. 15. c. 12.
• a 1.2

  Musae∣um.
• b 1.3

  Hist. Cent. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• a 1.4

  Ibid.
• b 1.5

  Mus. Rom.
• c 1.6

  Musaeum Wor.
• d 1.7

  Hist. Cent. 4.
• a 1.8

  Barthol. Hist. Cent. 4.
• b 1.9

  Ibid.
• c 1.10

  Ibid.
• d 1.11

  Ibid.
• e 1.12

  Tab. 4. N. 1.
• a 1.13

  Charl. Onom. Zoic.
• b 1.14

  Hist. of Barb. p. 6.
• a 1.15

  Charl. Onom. Zoic. out of Hie∣ron. Benzon. Hist. N. Orb. l. 2. c. 14.
• b 1.16

  Traph. Disc. of Jam.
• c 1.17

  Ibid.
• d 1.18

  Charl. On. Zoic. out of Petr. Mar∣tyr.
• a 1.19

  Exer. 218. S. 4.
• b 1.20

  Musae∣um Wormi∣anum.
• c 1.21

  Ibid.
• d 1.22

  Quoted by Laet, l. 2.
• a 1.23

  Ligon's Hist. of Barb. p. 5.
• b 1.24

  Out of Laet.
• c 1.25

  Hist. An. l. 2. c. 1. near the end.
• a 1.26

  Hist. An. lib. 6. c. 11. & l. 5. c. 10.
• b 1.27

  Hist. 42.
• a 1.28

  Phil. Trans. N. 76. p. 2275.
• b 1.29

  Tursio Plinii. Pho∣caena Ron∣deletii.
• a 1.30

  Laet. l. 13.
• b 1.31

  Charl. Onomast. Zoic.
• a 1.32

  Tab. 27. f. 2.
• a 1.33

  De Part. Anim. l. 3. c. 1.
• a 1.34

  Histor. 50.
• a 1.35

  Lib. de Aq. & Ter∣rest.
• a 1.36

  Wor∣mius.
• a 1.37

  L. de Re Cibaria.
• b 1.38

  Exerc. 182. S. 2.
• c 1.39

  Salvian.
• d 1.40

  Salvian.