128 History of Nature. [BooK IX. 



while Rhombi (Turbots) enter. Neither is the Sepia 1 there, 

 although the Loligo is found. Of such as live among Rocks, 

 theTurdus and Merula 2 are wanting, as also Shell-fish ; but 

 Oysters (Ostrese) are in Abundance : for all such Things 

 pass the Winter in the JSgean Sea. Of them that enter into 

 the Pontus, none stay there except the Trichise: 3 for I think 

 it good, in such Diversity of Fishes' Names, because the 

 same Fish is in many Countries called by different Denomi- 

 nations, to use the Greek Name for most of them. These 

 Fish alone go up the River Ister; and out of it they pass 

 again by Communications under the Ground into the 

 Adriatic Sea, and therefore they are seen coming down 

 thither, but never ascending out of that Sea. The Fishery 

 for Tunnies is from the Rising of the (Stars) Vergilise, 4 to the 

 Setting of Arcturus. All the Winter-time besides they lie 

 hid in the Gulfs at the Bottom, unless they are enticed 

 forth by some warm Season, or at the full Moon. They grow 

 so fat, that their Skins burst. The longest of their Life does 

 not exceed two Years. There is a little Creature in Shape 

 like a Scorpion, and as big as a Spider, which will pierce 

 with its sharp Sting under the Fin of the Tunny, and also 

 of the Sword-fish (Gladius), 5 (which many Times exceeds the 

 Size of the Dolphin), and put them to such Pain, that they 

 often are driven to spring into the Ships. Which they do 

 also at other Times, for fear of the Violence of other Fishes ; 

 and most of all, the Mullets 6 do so with such exceeding 



1 Sepia. Wern. Club. 



2 The various species of Wrass : the Labri of modern naturalists, who 

 have applied the first of these names to designate a genus of birds : both 

 the birds and fishes being characterised by spots on their scales or plumage. 

 Wern. Club. 



3 A species of Clupea. Wern. Club. 



4 In the beginning of May. Wern. Club. 



5 Xiphius Gladius. LINN. Wern. Club. 



6 Two kinds of fishes are termed Mullets in England : the Grey 

 Mullet (MugiT), and the Surmullet (Mullus). The former is the fish 

 here meant ; but although the Mugil is much in the habit of throwing 

 itself out of water, to escape from an obstruction, they rarely do it 

 through fear of other fishes ; and few fishes are less liable to the attacks 

 of parasites. Wern. Club. 



