224 Gleanings from the 



The many curiofities of fifh-life are often dwelt 

 upon by mediaeval and later writers. They alfo 

 fancied that analogues of all things living on earth 

 were to be found in the fea. Thus Walton writes 

 of the wonders which the Tradefcants collected 

 into their mufeum. This yet exifts under the 

 name of their friend Afhmole, at Oxford: "You 

 may there fee the Hog-fim, the Dog-fifh, the 

 Dolphin, the Cony-fim, the Parrot-fim, the Shark, 

 the Poifon-fifh," and others. And we will follow 

 his example in " fweetening this difcourfe out of a 

 contemplation in divine Du Bartas," after duly 

 cautioning readers that this poet's works, tranflated 

 into Englifh by Sylvefter, form 670 folio pages of 

 the moft extreme dulnefs imaginable: 1 



" God quickened in the fea and in the rivers 

 So many fifties of fo many features, 

 That in the waters we may fee all creatures 

 Even all that on the Earth are to be found, 

 As if the world were in deep waters drowned. 

 For Seas as well as Skies have Sun, Moon, Stars ; 

 As well as Air Swallows, Rooks, and Stares ; 

 As well as Earth Vines, Rofes, Nettles, Melons, 

 Muflirooms, Pinks, Gilliflowers and many millions 

 Of other plants, more rare, more ftrange than thefe 

 As very fifties, living in the feas ; 

 As alfo Rams, Calves, Horfes, Hares and Hogs, 

 Wolves, Urchins, Lions, Elephants and Dogs, 

 Yea, Men and Maids," etc., etc. 



Walton proceeds to enumerate, from ^lian and 



from Pliny belong to "Nat. Hift.," ix. 15, 16, 19, 21, 22, 25, 

 30, 44, 50, 51, 59, 62 (Holland's Tranflation). 



1 "Du Bartas, His divine Weekes and Workes, with a 

 Compleate Collection of all the other moft delightfull Workes, 

 tranflated and written by y't famous Philomufus Jofuah 

 Sylvefter, Gent." London, 1641. 



