238 CURIOUS CREATURES. 



teeth ; true it is that they are called in Latine Boves 

 tnarini or Vaccce marina, and in the Russian tongue 

 tnorsses, the hides whereof I have scene as big as any 

 ox hide, and being dressed, I have yet a piece of one 

 thicker than any two oxe, or bul's hides in England. 



" The leather dressers take them to be excellent good 

 to make light targets against the arrowes of the savages ; 

 and I hold them farre better than the light leather 

 targets which the Moores use in Barbaric against 

 arrowes and lances, whereof I have scene divers in her 

 Majesties stately armourie in the Toure of London. 

 The teeth of the sayd fishes, whereof I have scene a 

 dry flat full at once, are a foote and sometimes more in 

 length ; and have been sold in England to the combe 

 and knife makers at 8 groats and 3 shillings the pound 

 weight, whereas the best ivory is solde for halfe the 

 money ; the graine of the bone is somewhat more yel- 

 low than the ivorie. One Mr. Alexander Woodson of 

 Bristoll, my old friend, an excellent mathematician and 

 skilful phisitian, shewed me one of these beasts teeth 

 which were brought from the Isle of Ramea in the first 

 prize, which was half a yard long, or very little lesse : 

 and assured mee that he had made tryall of it in minis- 

 tering medicine to his patients, and had found it as 

 sovereigne against poyson as any unicorne's home." 



THE ZIPHIUS. 



This Voracious Animal, whose size may be imagined 

 by comparison with the Seal it is devouring, is thus 

 described by Magnus : " Because this Beast is con- 

 versant in the Northern Waters, it is deservedly to be 

 joined with other monstrous Creatures. The Sword- 



