150 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



in sucli a quantity, as to form the pond ; and 

 thus increase the means of subsistence, by car- 

 rying the water over a large tract of rich, and 

 uncultivated land. Events of a similar nature 

 generally take place, -^vhen an artificial pond is 

 made in any part of the country, not before cul- 

 tivated ; and probably from the same cause. ^ 



In the production of fish, nature seems to 

 have been extremely prolific, in every part of 

 America. Their species, their multiplying 

 power, and the age at which thc}^ become pro- 

 lific, ai*e beyond our knowledge, and computa- 

 tion. The brooks, rivers, ponds, and lakes, arc 

 everywhere, stored with them. The sea coasts 

 are one continued range of fishing banks, cov- 

 ered ^vith cod, haddock, and other animals of 

 tlie ocean. 'YhQ-xvIiale is general!}^ esteemed 

 the greatest animaj, which nature has produced 

 in the water : In the seas of America, this is to 

 be found in its greatest perfection of magnitude 

 and numbers. 



Fossil shells are frequently fouhd at some 

 distance from the banks of our lakes, rivers, 

 brooks, and meadows. Some have been found 

 on the sides, or rather in the gullies of the 

 mountains. Such productions require a collec-* 

 tion of water for their formation. Naturalists 

 have proposed many theories and speculations, 



* THE numberof fish in the rivers of South America, is fully equal 

 to any thing that takes place, in the northern parts of the continent. "In 

 the Maragnon," says P. Acugna, " Fish arc so plentiful, that, without 

 any art, they may take them with their hands." 



"In the Orinoco," says P. Guniilla, "besides an infinite variety of oth- 

 er fish, tortoises or turtle abound in such number?, that I cannot find 

 words to express it. I doubt not but that such as read my account will 

 accuse me of exaggeration : But I can affirm, that it is as diiiScult ta 

 count them, as to count the sands on the bank of that river." Hist. del. 

 Orcnoque, ii. c. as, p. 59. M. dcla Condciminc coniirnis their account*. 



