226 The Natural Historic 



gry, because they find out the Prey for him. They are reck- 

 oned exceeding good to eat. 



The Dolplmi, is a large Fish, not much unlike a Porpoise. 

 It has two strong Fins, which like the Arms of a Man, are 

 joined to the Shoulder-blades, and is said to be of that swift- 

 ness, that it will easily overtake a Ship in full sail before the 

 Wind. They generate like rational Animals, bringing forth 

 their Young alive, not from Spawn but Seed, and have but one 

 or two at a time. They go with young ten Months, breed only 

 in the Summer, and are said to live two or three hundred 

 Years. They sometimes swim in Shoals, and at other times 

 only the Male and Female together. It is reported that when 

 they are taken, they are observed to deplore their Condition 

 by Groans, Lamentations, and a flood of Tears. It is also said 

 to be a certain sign of a Storm shortly to follow, when they 

 are seen sporting, and frequently moving their Bodies in the 

 Water. They have a groaning Voice, sharp Sight, and are 

 said to be lovers of Musick and Men. There are great num- 

 bers of them to be met with in these Seas, and are said to live 

 out of the Water for two or three Days. They are much de- 

 ceived who imagine Dolphins to be of the Figaire they are 

 usually represented on Signs ; that Error being more owing 

 to Painters, than any such thing in Fact, for they are straight 

 and not crooked. Their Flesh is eaten by the Dutch, and is of 

 good Account amongst the French; though according to the 

 Accounts of some, it yields no very grateful Taste. The 

 Liver is of a tender Substance, and very nourishing, so is the 

 Tongue. The Bowels smell and taste like Violets, and help 

 the Spleen. The Ashes of the whole Fish applied with Water, 

 is good against the Tettars, Ring-worms, Scruff and Leprosie. 



The 



