148 ANECDOTES OF FISHES 



CURBINATA. 



A fish found in the rivers and lakes of America, 

 remarkable on account of its having above each 

 eye a white transparent stone, of the size of an 

 olive stone, which possesses very great virtue in 

 urinary complaints, and dissolving stones in the 

 bladder ; hence it is much sought after. Her- 

 nandez calls it the parou. Thompsons Alcedo. 



CUSK. 



A fish so called at New Brunswick, and consi- 

 dered excellent eating, is there caught in the ri- 

 vers. I have not seen it elsewhere. It somewhat 

 resembles the white fish of the Canada lakes, but 

 is less in size, and quite a new species. 



M'Gregor's British America. 



DRUM FISH. 



Mr. J. White, lieutenant in the United States, 

 says, in his voyage to the China Seas in 1824, 

 that being at the mouth of the Cambodia river, 

 himself and his crew were astonished at hearing 

 from the bottom of the ship extraordinary sounds, 

 like bells, the bass of an organ, enormous harp, 

 &c. &c. These noises increased, and formed a 

 universal chorus, over the entire length of the 

 vessel. The interpreter told Mr. White they were 

 produced by fishes, of an oval or flatted form, 

 which adhere to bodies by the mouth. Humboldt 



