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THe HEAD of the CUCUPU-GUACU; so called by the people of Brasile, where it breeds. Described by Marggravius. Who saith it is sometimes two yards long, and a yard and half about. The Mouth of this Head standing quite open, makes a circle of a yard in com∣pass. So that, probably, 'tis the biggest of Scaled-Fishes,
excepting the Sturgeon. Of all our European Fishes, it seems to come nearest to the Cole-Fish or Black-Cod.
The SCALES (perhaps) of the same Fish. They are almost circular, above three inches in Diameter, and an∣swerably thick. Like other Scales, they are horny, trans∣parent, and elastick or springy. That part of their edge which is inserted into the Skin, bluntly Toothed. They have a great many exceeding small Striae, hardly visible, but by holding them up against the light.
The FILE-FISH. CAPRISCUS. It was sent from the Bermudas. Curiously pictur'd and described by Salvian. a 1.1 I call it the File-Fish, from the likeness which the foremost Bone upon his Back hath to a file. There are three of them: which, saith Salvian, he raises and depresses at his pleasure; yet so, as not one alone, but altogether. And although you press the foremost, and greatest never so hard, it will not stir: but if you depress the last and least of all never so softly, the other two immediately fall down with it: just as when a Cross-Bow is let off by pulling down the Tricker. For which reason also the fish is called, at Rome, Pesce Balestra.
Another thing peculiar to this fish is, that his Scales (as Salvian calls them) are separated by cancellated lines, or Lattice-wise. I add, and that they are all incrustated, and rough-cast with little round knobs. So that the cover of this fish, is near a kin to that of the Square-Fish; that be∣ing only one entire Crust, this divided into many little ones.
It may be noted, That where Salvian describeth this fish to be compressum & latum, at{que} fere orbicularem, he hath not properly expressed his shape. For he is not Broad, but Tall; and much nearer to a Rhombus or Diamond∣square.
This fish seems to be the same which the People of Bra∣sile call GUAPERUA; described and pictur'd by Marg∣gravius and Piso, and out of them by Johnston. b 1.2
The TALLEST FILE-FISH. This seems to be that Species particularly described by Salvianus. It differs from the foregoing only in being taller and narrower: and in having the Tail-Fin with longer horns.
The PRICKLE or longest FILE-FISH. It is a young
One. Differs from that of Salvian. In that on the sides hinderly, grows a little short Prickle upon the centre of every Scale, pointing backward. It is also ratably much longer and lower, his Nose a great deal shorter, and less steep, and his Tail-Fin less spread.
Another LONG-FILE-FISH of the same Species, and about a foot in length. But the Prickles above-said are here worn off.
The STREAKED FILE-FISH. Capriscus striatus. This differs from the last, In that its Scales are not prickled, but streaked with many small Lines; forward, entire; but hin∣derly composed of many little knobs.
The SNIPE-FISH. Scolopax. It was taken in the Baltick-Sea. I find it no where well described.
It is a little fish, when at full growth, as Rondeletius, who had seen three of them all small, and full of Eggs, well observes. This here, about three inches and ••/•• long, ••/•• of an inch high, the sides much compressed, being not ••/•• of an inch thick. The Orbits of his Eyes very great, sc. a ¼ of an inch over. His Forehead as much.
He hath a tubular or pipe-like Snout, resembling that of the Hippocampus, or the Horse-Fish. It consisteth of only one hollow Bone, strait, and from his Eyes above an inch long, or one third of his whole length. At the root, above ••/•• of an inch high; at the extremity, ••/••. Where he hath an exceeding little Mouth; which openeth not before, but above.
His Gills large, behind the Eyes ••/•• of an inch, from whence carry'd to his Snout or Bill, they describe ••/•• of a circle. The Fins four. The Gill-Fins almost ½ an inch long, in the same level with his Mouth and the bottom of the Eye. The Tail-Fin as long, ••/•• of an inch high. Before and above the Tail a fourth, a ¼ of an inch long, ••/•• broad.
A little before this Fin, stands a white and very sharp Spike, or Saw, above an inch long, couched a little backward, and armed with a double row of small sharp Teeth, all pointing upward. To this great One, are subjoyned two lesser, by one common Membrane, as in the File-Fish.
His Skin grey with some few rays of red; possibly more
in the living fish. He is scaly, and rough with a single Row of very small Prickles near his Eyes, with a treble one on his Belly and Sides; hardly visible without a Glass.
By the great length and structure of this Fishes Bill, he should seem, upon dilating his Throat at his pleasure, to suck in his food, and so to use it as a Sirynge. Withall, his Mouth not being open before, but on the top of his Bill-end, like a Gutter-Trough, doth much promote the current, of all that comes in at it, to his Throat. And so in the Trumpet-Fish.
The three Spikes on his Back (whereof Rondeletius and others only observe the greatest) being associated in the same manner, and having the like mutual proportion, as in the File-Fish; it may reasonably be supposed, that they have also the same Motions, depressions and erections, as, in speaking of the said fish, hath been described. And that therefore, while the fish swims secure, they are all couched down close to his Back, that they may not hinder his course: but that when ever he is pursued, he strait erects them all, and by the help of the lesser, keeps the great one tite up against his Enemy.
The SQUARE ACARAUNA; by Mariners, The Old Wife. It hath some marks of kindred with the tall Acarau∣na, described and pictur'd in Marggravius and Piso. But hath also divers others of distinction from it; as the diffe∣rent position of the Spurs, the different shape both of Head, Body and Tail, &c. as may be observed by comparing the Descriptions and Figures of both together. The tall Aca∣rauna is figured also by Johnston, a 1.3 out of Marggravius; but without any Inscription of Number or Title.
This here was brought from Suranam. Eight inches long and ½, above three high, about one and ¼ over. His fore parts and Tail are (now) of a pale straw-colour; all the rest are of a blackish brown. He is cover'd all over with Scales engraven with small parallel Lines: except on his Forehead and Chaps before, where his Skin is only ruged as you draw your Finger downward.
The Crown of his Head rises up into a blunt Angle, his Forehead flat, above ½ an inch broad. His Eyes round, ••/•• an inch over, and stand high. A little before them, two small holes like Nostrils. His Mouth also stands high, and
is extreme small, scarce ••/•• of an inch over. His Teeth con∣tiguous, like small Needles.
On his upper Jaw grow four little Prickles on each side. On each side his nether, two great Spikes or Spurs, hard, and very sharp, about an inch long, pointing obliquely down∣ward, and bended a little like a Cocks Spur. From the Root of these several little short Prickles run in a strait Row to the Eyes.
The Gills behind make a strait Line, and an Angle, from whence they are produced forward. The Fins seven. The Gill-Fins hang under the Spurs, an inch and ½ long near an inch broad. The Breast-Fins also an inch and ½ long, ••/•• broad. The Back-Fin from the top of his Head, the Belly-Fin from his Anus are carry'd to the Tail-Fin, so as to stand betwixt two parallel lines, making the fish almost square; from whence I have Nam'd it. They are both stretched out beyond their roots with two sharp Angles. The Tail-Fin an inch and ••/•• long, and higher, with its utmost edge Convex.
The Spur above describ'd, is a dangerous, and as it seems, a malicious Weapon; wherewith the fish strikes side-ways, and as it were under-hand, not suffering, in its doged humor, any other fish to consort with it.
The SWALLOW-FISH. So called from the length of his Gill-Fins, which reach to the end of his Tail, like a pair of very long Wings. By some, the Flying-Herring, from a likeness in the shape of their Body. Perhaps Ronde∣letius's Mugilis Alatus. But by Salvian called Hirundo, by whom it is well described. a 1.4 That Line (saith he) which in other fishes goes either from the Head or Branchiae by the sides to the Tail; here runs from the Belly-Fins along the Belly to the Tail. Johnston also describes it out of Aldrovandus, but omits the just number of seven Fins. In the figure also which he gives, the Belly-Fins are wanting. And the Orbits of the Eyes, which are extraordinary great, he representeth little.
His Gill-Fins he useth as Wings, wherewith he flyeth, for escape, above the water, when pursu'd by another fish; especially, as Piso saith, by the Dolphin. But as they fly (as the same Author) they often become a prey to Water-Fowl. Hundreds of them are sometimes seen above the
Water at once. When they fly, they make a kind of Stridor, as some Fowls with their Wings.
KITE-FISH. So called also from his Wings or Gill-Fins, which, what they want in length, they have in breadth and strength. Figur'd by Rondeletius, and accurately de∣scribed. Saving, that he mentions but seven of his eight Fins.
This fish seems to be the same with that which Marggra∣vius describes by the Name of PIRAPEBE.
Another KITE-FISH of the same Species. Figur'd by Johnston, Tab. 17. N. 9.
Of the GILL-FINS of the FLYING-FISH, it is further observable, That they are fastened very high near their Backs; that so at the same time their Bodies may be in some part sustained by the Water, and their Wings have a little scope to play above it, for their easier advance into the Air.
The BEARDED-LOACH or GROUNDLING. Gobi∣tes Barbatula. It is a small fish about five inches long, bearded with six small Threads, three on each side. Yet Bellonius mentions but four. Nor doth Gesner picture more in his corrected figure. See them both.
The MAILED-FISH. Cataphractus Schonveldii. It was brought from Guiny. But is also often taken in the Mouth of the Elb. It is well described by the Author of the Name. And by Johnston well figur'd, Tab. 46. But in Tab. 24. but scurvily, unless it be another Species. It is a small fish about five or six inches long, with a broad squat head, and thence taper'd to the end of the Tail. His Scales are as it were doubled, by which he becomes of an angular figure, with about eight Angles before, and six behind. His Nose-end armed with two Prickles standing together in a semilunar figure; supposed to be venemous.
The TAMOATA pictur'd and described by Piso, seems to be the same with this fish.
Another MAILED-FISH of the same Species.
The MAILED-FISH of Brastle. It hath a near re∣semblance to the former; from whence I have Nam'd it. I find it no where describ'd. 'Tis ½ a foot long. His Head an inch and ¼ long, and near as broad. On the hinder part of his Head he hath three Angles, one on each side,
and a third in the middle. The Forehead almost flat. His upper Chap Elliptick. The Orbits of his Eyes round, ½ of an inch over, an inch behind his Nose-end, ¼ distant. A little before the Eyes, two large holes like Nostrils. His Mouth a little prominent, near ••/•• an inch over. His Lips in the place of Teeth, only rough. His lower Jaw and Belly flat. His Body before, an inch and ••/•• broad, an inch and ¼ high, his Back round, the Sides ending in two Angles. His Tail taper'd, and with the Sides a little flat.
One half of the Gills opens on the sides, the other under∣neath in the Breast. The Fins are eight. The Gill-Fins of an unusual structure, having their utmost Spine or Bone very rough, thick and strong, above an inch and ½ long, flat and crooked, almost like a Reaping-Hook, seven or eight times as big as any of the rest of the Fin-Bones. The Belly-Fins much less, and above an inch behind. Just over these the Back-Fin. On the Tail one above, underneath, and at the end: But the two first are here broken off.
His Head is cover'd with a brown and rough bony Hel∣met. His Back, Sides and Tail with Scales of the same colour, but a little lighter, rough, engraven with small parallel Lines, and of a Rhomboidal figure. His Breast and Belly only with a thin limber Skin.
The BRASILIAN NEEDLE-FISH; by the People of Brasile called TIMUCU. Acus Brasiliensis. Marggravius hath described and figur'd it well. 'Tis a long slender fish, from whence its Name. It hath also a pair of Chaps like a long Bill. He only omits the two scaly Lines which run along the Belly and Tail of the Fish, which every where else hath a naked Skin.
The CHAPS (perhaps) of the GREENLAND NEEDLE-FISH. The Teeth which stand in single Rows on the Edges of the Chaps are thick and strong, yet very sharp. In the lower Chap, near the two edges, are two furrows, into which the Teeth of the upper Chap strike. The two Bones which compose the Chap, are joyned together by an indented Suture, most curious to look upon. The fish seems next a kin to the common great Needle-Fish, or the Girrock, which is described by Rondeletius, Aldrovandus, and others, and pictur'd by Johnston, Tab. 15.
It is an Observation of Aristotles, a 1.5 That most fishes
having no Gullet, but their Stomachs standing just behind their Mouths; it often comes to pass, that while the greater pursue the lesser, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, their Stomachs come out into their very Mouths. Some re∣semblance whereof, in a low degree, may be felt by those that with an eager Appetite first begin to eat; the Gula rising up a little as it were to meet the meat half way; which, upon its retreat, it sucks in after it. Which hath happened in some with that violence, as to have endanger'd their be∣ing choaked.
Hist. 71.
Tab. 34.
Tab. 32.
Histor. 62.
Hist. Anim. lib. 2. c. 17.