242 The Natural Historg 



The Fountain-fish, so call'd, from its frequenting the 

 Fountains and clear running Streams of Water, where they 

 breed and are to be met with and no where else. They are 

 of a whitish colour and as large as a midling Trout, and by 

 the clearness of the Water are very difficult to be taken, there- 

 fore I can't inform you how good they are, having never 

 tasted any of them, but the Indiana say they are a fine fish. 



The Barhouts, or Miller s-Tliumh, are the very same here 

 as those in England and other parts of Europe. They are 

 about three or four Inches long, have no Scales, and the Back 

 is Yellowish with a few little black Spots. The head is 

 large, and the Mouth wide and round. Out of the Fins grow 

 several sharp prickles or Thornes, especially in those near 

 the Head. These fish are very plenty in Rivers and Creeks 

 near the Sea Shear where they feed on watry Insects. 



This is the best Account I can give, or is yet known of the 

 FISHES in the fresh Waters, few more being discovered, 

 though I am satisfied, and may with Justice and safety say, 

 that there is not one third part of them yet discovered, or 

 made known to us, therefore shall omit many strange and 

 uncouth shapes and sort of Fishes which we are told by the 

 Indians, are to be found in the Rivers and Lakes, whereof I 

 can give no certain Information to my Readers, having no 

 farther account of them than only hearsay from those Peo- 

 ple, so shall proceed to treat of the Shell-fish which are found 

 in the Salt Waters, as far as they are yet discovered. 



The OYSTERS, whereof there are two Sorts, the great 

 and the small, both these are in greater plenty here than 



in 



