180 History of Nature. [BooK IX. 



CHAPTER LX. 

 Of the Sea- Stars (Stella marines}. 



BESIDES these, I see that some Authors, celebrated for 

 Wisdom, have made a Wonder at the Star in the Sea. 1 It is 

 of small size, fleshy within ; but without of a harder Sub- 

 stance. They say it is so fiery hot, that whatever it toucheth 

 in the Sea it burneth : and whatever Food it receiveth, it 

 immediately digesteth. What Proof there is of this I cannot 

 readily say. I would think that more worthy to be recorded 

 which hath daily Experience. 



CHAPTER LXI. 

 Of the Dactyli- and their wonderful Properties. 



THE Dactyli are a kind of Shellfish ; and they derive 

 their Name from their Likeness to Men's Nails. The Nature 

 of this Fish is to shine in the Dark, when all other Light 

 is taken away. The more Moisture they have, the more 

 Light they give ; they shine in Men's Mouths as they chew 

 them: they shine in their Hands: on the Floor, and on their 

 Garments, if any Drops fall on them : so that it appeareth 

 to proceed from the very Nature of that Juice, which we so 

 wonder at in the Body. 



CHAPTER LXII. 

 Of the Enmity and Amity of Fishes between themselves. 



THERE are wonderful Instances of Enmities and Agree- 

 ment. The Mugii and Lupus burn with mutual Hatred ; 

 likewise the Conger and Mursena: so that they gnaw off one 

 another's Tails. The Locusta is so afraid of the Polypus, 



1 The various species of Star-fishes : Asteriadce. The ancients in- 

 dulged the idea that the sea contained a counterpart of every thing that 

 was to be found on the land or in the sky ; but to support this opinion, 

 they were contented with very loose analogies, or mere quibbles. Wern. 

 Club. 



3 Pholades, and especially Ph. dactylus, LINN. Wern. Club. 



