CURIOUS CREATURES. 225 



the same Beasts Skin, that is taken off long before, for 

 that and some other use, and is hardened by the sharp- 

 ness of the winds. Also a part within this Keel raised 

 up like a house, they make several Hog Sties and 

 places for other creatures, as the fashion is in other 

 houses of Wood ; leaving always under the top of this 

 structure, a place for Cocks, that serve instead of 

 Clocks, that men may be raised to their labour in the 

 night, which is there continual in the Winter-time. 

 They that sleep between these Ribs, see no other 

 Dreams, than as if they were always toiling in the Sea- 

 waves, or were in danger of Tempests, to suffer ship- 

 wreck." 



Besides men, Whales had their foes, in the deep, and 

 there was, according to Du Bartas, one very formidable 

 and cunning enemy, in the shape of a bird : 



" Meanwhile the Langa, skimming, (as it were,) 

 The Ocean's surface, seeketh everywhere, 

 The hugy Whale ; where slipping in (by Art), 

 In his vast mouth, shee feeds upon his Hart." 



But it is cheering to find, on the authority of the 

 same author, that he also has a helpful friend : 



" As a great Carrak, cumbred and opprest 

 With her-self's burthen, wends not East and West, 

 Star-boord, and Lar-boord, with so quick Careers 

 As a small Fregat, or swift Pinnass steers ; 

 And as a large and mighty limbed Steed, 

 Either of Friseland, or of German breed, 

 Can never manage half so readily, 

 As Spanish Jennet, or light Barbarie ; 

 So the huge Whale hath not so nimble motion 

 As smaller fishes that frequent the Ocean ; 

 But, sometimes, rudely 'gainst a Rock he brushes, 

 Or in some roaring straight he blindly rushes, 



2 A 



