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next day we crossed the equator, and passed a range of sandy 

 hills and lofty mountains. A. steady wind befriended us to the 

 sixth degree of southern latitude, when it was succeeded by vari- 

 able breezes, calms, thunder, lightning and heavy rain. The sea 

 was enlivened by a variety of birds, uniting with dolphins, al- 

 bacores and bonilos, in hostility against the unfortunate flying- 

 fish. 



Near the coast we saw many other sorts of fish, but did not 

 meet with any of the mermaids so often mentioned in these seas; 

 and especially by Mr. Malcham, a gentleman of great respecta- 

 bility, and at that time superintendant of the company's marine at 

 Bombay. I have heard him declare, that when in command of a 

 trading vessel at Mozambique, Mombaz, and Melinda, three of the 

 principal sea-ports on the east coast of Africa, he frequently saw these 

 extraordinary animals from six to twelve feet long; the head and 

 face resembling the human, except about the nose and mouth, 

 which were rather more like a hog's snout; the skin fair and 

 smooth ; the head covered with dark glossy hair of considerable 

 length; the neck, breasts, and body of the female, as low as the 

 hips, appeared like a well-formed woman; from thence to the ex- 

 tremity of the tail they were perfect fish. The shoulders and arms 

 were in good proportion, but from the elbow tapered to a fin, like 

 the turtle or penguin. These animals were daily cut up, and sold 

 by weight in the fish markets of Mombaz; nor was the flesh easilv 

 distinguished from the fishy pork which those who have resided 

 at Calicut or Anjengo are well acquainted with. 



Although the existence of mermen and mermaids is doubted 

 by many, the history of England, Holland, Portugal and other 



