86 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



in'ftead of fcales. The fnout is about eight inches in 

 length, with the upper jaw longer than the lower, in 

 ■which it differs from all other eels, which this fpecics 

 likewife furpalfes, as well in the delicacy of its fiefli as 

 in the lize of its body. 



The Bobo, is a very fine fifli, about two feet long, and 

 four or fix inches broad at the broadeft part ; and is in 

 high efteem as an excellent food. The river Barbel, 

 known by the name of Bagre, is of the fame fize with 

 the Bobo, and of exquifite flavour, but unwhoiefome till 

 it is cleanfed with lemon juice, or fome other acid, from 

 a certain kind of froth or vifcid liquor which adheres to 

 it. The Bobos, I believe are got only in the rivers which 

 fall into the Mexican gulf, and the Barbels in thofe which 

 difcharge themfelves into lakes, or into the Pacific Ocean. 

 The flefli of thefe two kinds, although very delicate, 

 does not equal that of the Pampano, and the Colom- 

 bclla, which are defervedly efteemed fuperior to all 

 others. 



The Curvina is about a foot and a half long, of a flen- 

 der, round fliape, and of a blackifli purple colour. In 

 the head of this fifli are found, two fmall, white ftones 

 like alabafter, each an inch and a half long, and about 

 four lines broad, of which three grains taken in water, 

 are thought to be ufeful in a fi^oppage of urine. 



The Botetto is a fmall fifti, not more than eight inches 

 in length, but excefiively thick. This fifli, while it lies 

 alive upon the beach, immediately fwells, whenever it is 

 touched, to an enormous fize ; and boys often take plea- 

 fure in making it burft with a kick. The liver is fo poi- 

 fonous as to kill with ftrong convulfions in half an hour 

 after it is eaten. 



The 



