236 The Natural Historic 



much, being far beyond any I have ever met with in Europe, 

 when well Pickled, but if those Fish are eaten too greedily 

 whilst fresh, are apt to breed Feavers. The Planters export 

 several Barrels from hence to the Islands in the West-Indies 

 and other parts that are scarce of Provisions. 



THUS I have given you the most exact and Impartial ac- 

 count of the Salt-water Fish that came to my knowledge dur- 

 ing my stay in those parts, though I have eat of several other 

 sorts of Fish which I have omitted by reason that they are 

 not distinguished by any certain English ISTames, that I couM 

 learn, yet the Indians are well acquainted with them and 

 have very uncouth ISTames for, which no doubt the Christians 

 in time will discover, especially when this Colony is better 

 inhabited and the Fishing Trade is well carry'd on. I shall 

 therefore proceed to give an account of the FISH that are to 

 be met with in the fresh Waters. 



The Sturgeon is the first of these whereof we have great 

 plenty, all the fresh parts of our Kivers being well stored 

 with them. The upper parts of this fish are of a sordid Olive 

 Colour, or betwixt a grey and a black : The Belly of a Silver 

 Colour. They have a midling Head; very small Eyes, for 

 the bulk of the Fish. The Snout is long, broad and sharp, 

 and the Mouth without Teeth, they have no Chops, from 

 whence it appears that they feed by sucking. They are a 

 large Fish with a long Body, sixteen Fins and five rows of 

 Scales; two on each side, and one on the back: The Scales 

 of the upper row which are in the middle of the Back, being 

 greater than the rest, rise higher; of these there are no cer- 

 tain E'umber ; for it has been observed that some have Eleven 

 some Twelve and others Thirteen ; this row is extended from 



the 



