258 FISHING GOSSIP. 



cated ; which makes them float on the water, and 

 become the serpent's prey." 



Is it possible that this tree, up which the serpents 

 climb and make beasts of themselves, is " the toddy- 

 tree which yields that famous liquor so called ? It 

 is as thick as a man may clasp with his arms, straight 

 and tall, without boughs to the very top ; but hath a 

 rough bark, which gives assistance to the climber, and 

 the natives mount them with incredible celerity. 

 The liquor distils from the branches upon making an 

 incision. It is a delicious wine, as smooth as new 

 white wine, but much more fine and clear." There 

 was a canine animal once yclept " Negus." Upon a 

 parity of reasoning this toddy-tree might be called 

 as appropriately the dog-tree, being all whine and 

 bark. 



"In the rivers of Terra Firrna is a small fish, 

 about the bigness of a smelt, which hath four eyes, 

 two on each side, one above another ; and in swim- 

 ming, it is observed to keep the uppermost two above, 

 and this other two under water." 



Can the following be our old acquaintance the 

 sea-serpent ? " There is a water-snake of so strange 

 a quality, that whatsoever touches it sticks fast to it, 

 and by that means it gets its living. It is of a vast 

 length, but can contract itself wonderfully. So he 

 comes ashore, lays himself down close, and whatso- 

 ever stumbles upon him is catched by his glewy 



