loo L E T T E R IV. 



fmalleft Pea ; and after all, they are much more 

 like a Maggot than a Worm. 



9. The Centipee, and Scorpion, put me in mind 

 of what paffed in difcourfe between Captain Dag-- 

 get and myfelf, fometime in the year 17 18, upon 

 his arrival at Nevis^ from Bojlon in New-Englandy 

 after a fatiguing Voyage to the Dutch Colony of 

 Siwmam, Among other Articles, my curiofity 

 tempted me to inquire particularly after the Na- 

 ture of the Cold Eel, found in their Rivers, and 

 which is mentioned in all the accounts of that 

 Country, efpecially by Mrs. Ann Behn^ in her 

 Novel of Oronooko^ which is founded upon cer- 

 tain truth, though adorned and embelliihed with 

 ftrange fabulous circumftances, as indeed moft, 

 if not all, rare matters of fadl are. He afTured 

 me, (as others Perfons of known veracity have 

 alfo done) That a Cold Eel being drawn out of 

 the River, and iliook out of the Net upon a 

 plot of Grafs, the Natives and other Perfons pre- 

 fent refufed to touch it, till at laft a fool-hardy 

 European Sailor, who it feems, was an infidel in 

 that refped, refolved to venture taking it up, in 

 defiance of all perfuafions to the contrary. But 

 alas ! he paid dear for his want of faith ^ for no 

 fooner had he grafped it in his hand, than he in- 

 ftantly dropped down in a fwooning fit, his eyes 

 were fixed in his head, his face turned pale, and 

 even livid, and it was with difficulty enough 



that 



