The Natural Fiiflory of he Book X. 
The Mup-Fisn, 
“FH E RE. aré three Sorts of Mud-Fifp ; the firft and {malleft fome- 
what refembling Syve/ts in its Make ; the fecond is the Mangrove 
Mud- Fifh ; this is thicker and larger, and hath often large Roes in it ; 
the third and largeft is the Logger-Head-Mud-Fifh; this hath a large 
Head and Eyes, the former fomewhat flattifh ; and are often a Foot long ; 
every Species of thefe are juftly efteemed to be very delicate Eating. 
The two firft Fins appear fof Bronchia, with two fmaller ina di- 
rect Line under the Gullet; it hath likewife one continued membra- 
naceous Fin from the Navel to near the Tail; with another oppo- 
fite of equal Length upon the Back. The whole Fith is covered with 
many fmall Scales, and ends with a round pointed ‘Tail. 
The Star-Fisu. 
“EHS is here likewife call’d the Five-Finger'd-Fifh, and but 
very feldom taken. 
The SHARK. 
SHALL take my Leave of the Deep and its Inhabitants with a 
[ Defcription, or rather curfory Obfervation, of the Shark, a Fith 
well known both in the Northern and Southern Seas for its ravenous 
Nature preying upon moft Animals that come’ in its Way. The 
young Sharks, upon Sight of Danger, flip in through the Mouth of 
of the Parent Shark, and, when the Danger is over, iffue forth to 
their proper Element again. 
Thefe Creatures are fometimes feen very numerous among the Ships 
in Carlifle-Bay ; efpecially when there are many Veffels with Slaves 
from Guinea ; For fome Hundreds of thefe poor Wretches being often 
crouded together in one Bottom, a great many of them die. with va- 
rious Difeafes ; and being thrown over-board, bring together fo great 
a Multitude of thefe voracious Animals, that it is not fafe at fuch 
Times for the fatigued Sailors to refreth themfelves by bathing in the 
Bay. And here let me take Occafion to teftify my Efteem of thefe dar- 
ing and profitable Adventurers of the Deep, by refcuing from Oblivion 
a memorable Atchievement of a common Sailor in the DeftruGion of a 
Shark: And when the Principle which prompted him to fo very un- 
equal and hazardous a Combat, and the Intrepidity of the Aion it- 
felf are confidered, abftractedly from the low and mean Circumftaneces 
of the Perfon, it will perhaps appear to be as heroic an Inftance of 
difinterefted Priendfhip and perfonal Bravery, as any recorded in 
Hiftory. 
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