of North Carolina. 223 



Porpoises, they are generally very fat, and make good Oil. 

 They prey on other Fish, such as Drums and Mullets, yet are 

 seldom or never knomi to take the Bait, so as to be catched 

 with a Hook. Some call these Herring Hogs, from their 

 feeding on those Fish, and their Flesh being so very fat, like 

 Pork. They are much fatter than a Dolphin, but not so good ; 

 the Gentry bake it as Venison, but it is not pleasant Food. 

 They are always approaching the Shears in great [N'umbers 

 before Storms. 



The Thrashers are likewise large, as I have been informed, 

 and one of the mortal Enemies that pursue and kill the 

 Whale, as I said before. They make good Oil, but are seldom 

 found in these Parts. 



The Sivord-Fish, or Saw-Fish, has a long broad Bone fLxed 

 to his :N'ose, with sharp Teeth like a Saw, on each side of it. 

 It has two Fins on the Back, that next the Tail is hollow like 

 a Sickle. He has four underneath his Belly, viz. two on each 

 side. The Tail is like a piece of Board, painted behind and 

 underneath, but not divided, his Shape from Top to Tail, is 

 like a Man's Arm. His Eyes stand high out of his Head ; his 

 A'ostrils are oblong, and his Mouth is directly under his Eyes. 

 They are from tAvelve to twenty Feet long, and are generally 

 very fat on the Back, almost like a Hog. They are mortal 

 Enemies to the Whale, about which they gather in great Xum- 

 bers, and when they kill him, only eat out his Tongue, as is 

 supposed, and then the Whale floats to Shear, which is an ex- 

 traordinary Prize to those that find him. They likewise joyn 

 with the Thrashers, to kill them, and it is reported that they 

 will singly attack a Whale. In calm Weather, the Fishers 

 lye by till they kill the Whale, and upon the approach of the. 

 Boats, the S word-Fish being frighted, retires. The Flesh is 



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