258 FISHING GOSSIP. 
. cated ; which makes them float on the water, and 
become the serpent’s prey.” 
Is it possible that this tree, up which the serpents 
climb and make beasts of themselves, is “the toddy- 
tree which yields that famous liquor so called? It 
‘is as thick as a man may clasp with his arms, straight 
and tall, without boughs to the very top ; but hath a 
rough bark, which gives assistance to the climber, and 
the natives mount them with incredible celerity. 
The liquor distils from the branches upon making an 
Incision. It is a delicious wine, as smooth as new 
white wine, but much more fine and clear.” There 
was a canine animal once yclept “Negus.” Upon a 
parity of reasoning this toddy-tree might be called 
as appropriately the dog-tree, being all whine and 
bark. 
“In the rivers of Terra Firma is a small fish, 
about the bigness of a smelt, which hath four eyes, 
two on each side, one above another; and in swim- 
ming, it is observed to keep the uppermost two above, 
and this other two under water.” 
Can the following be our old acquaintance the 
sea-serpent? “There is a water-snake of so strange 
a quality, that whatsoever touches it sticks fast to it, 
and by that means it gets its living. It is of a vast 
length, but can contract itself wonderfully. So he 
comes ashore, lays himself down close, and whatso- 
ever stumbles upon him is catched by his glewy 
