[ 335 J 



XVII. Defer 7 pt ton of a new Marine Animal. In a Letter from 

 Mr, Everard Home, Surgeon, to John Hunter, Efq. F.R.S, 

 With a P offer ipt by Mr, Hunter^ containing anatomical Re- 

 marks upon the fame. 



Read March 7, 1785. 



TO JOHN HUNTER, ESQ. F.R.S. 

 DEAR SIR, Sept. 20, 1784. 



I SENT you, about three years ago, a fea animal from Bar- 

 badoes, which was unlike any one I had ever feen. From 

 the want of books and other information in that illand, I was 

 unable at the time to find out, whether it was a new acquifi- 

 tion, or had been defcribed by any authors in natural hiftory. 



Since my arrival in England, I have examined the libraries 

 of fome men of fcience for an account of this animal, and 

 have made other enquiries among the naturalifts, without fuc- 

 cefs. The fpecimen I fent you was found on a pai*t of the 

 coaft which had undergone very remarkable changes, in confe- 

 quence of a violent hurricane. Thefe changes were indeed the 

 means of its being difcovered, and prefent a probable reafon why 

 it was not difcovered before. The extraordinary circumfiance:^ 

 which brought it within our reach, and the filence of all the 

 authors on natural hiftory which I have been able to confult, 

 incline me to believe it to be a non-defcript. As the peculiar!-* 

 ties of its flrudure may add to the knowledge of the natural 



hi (lory. 



