OF NORTH CAROLINA. 268 



more are in the fresh waters we have not discov- 

 ered, but are satisfied, that we are not acquainted 

 with one-third part thereof; for we are told by the 

 Indians, of a great many strange and uncouth shapes 

 and sorts of fish, which they have found in the 

 lakes laid down in my chart. However as we can 

 give no farther account of these than by hearsay, 

 I proceed to treat of the shell fish, that are found 

 in the salt water, so far as they have already come 

 to our knowledge. 



The large crabs, which we call stone crabs, are 

 the same sort as in England, having black tips at 

 the end of their claws. These are plentifully met 

 withal, down in Core sound, and the south parts 

 of North Carolina. 



The smaller fiat crabs I look upon to be the 

 sweetest of all the species. They are the length 

 of a lusty man's hand, or rather larger. These 

 are innumerable, lying in most prodigious quanti- 

 ties, all over the salts of Carolina. They are ta- 

 ken not only to eat, but are the best bait for all 

 sorts of fish, that live in the salt water. These 

 fish are mischievous to night hooks, because they 

 get away all the bait from the hooks, 



Oysters, great and small, are found almost in 

 every creek and gut of salt water, and are very 

 good and well relished. The large oysters are ex- 

 cellent pickled. 



One cockle in Carolina is as big as five or six in 

 England. They are often thrown upon the sands 

 on the sound side, where the gulls are always 

 to open and eat them. 



