NARRATIVE OF AN 



the whole animal, begins to fpread itfelf near the eyes,^ 

 and thus continues fpreading till it forms the head of a 

 flattilh triangular appearance, clofe to which are the two 

 pectoral fins. Above the eyes are two large holes, which 

 I apprehend to be the organs of hearing, and not, as fome 

 fiippofe, intended by nature for the purpofe of fpouting 

 water. Alraoft diredtly under them is the mouth, which 

 is fomething in the form of an half-moon, apparently 

 without teeth, and between that and the under part of 

 the fpiked faw are the noftrils. The body of the faw- 

 fifli is not much larger than the head, with two ftrong 

 dorfal fins, the one near the middle, the other near the 

 tail, which is partly bifurcated, and raifed perpendicular, 

 the largeft part upwards, without rays. The back is co- 

 vered over with a dark flimy fkin ; the whole forming a 

 very hideous appearance. This fifh fights with the largeft 

 v/hales, till the fea all around is died with blood, feldom 

 quitting its adverfary till it has vanquifhed and killed it. 

 I have feen this monfter out of the water, and its whole 

 length meafured about fourteen feet. 



The turtles are divided into two fpecies, and are gene- 

 rally diftinguiflied in Surinam by the names of cqlapee or 

 ereen turtle, and carett. The former of thefe fometimes 

 weighs four hundred pounds, and has a flattilli fhell; but 

 the carett is inferior both in fize and quality, except with 

 refpedl to its fliell, which is more valuable, and of a 

 more convex form. Both the calapee and carett depofit 

 their eggs, which are very excellent foodj in the fand, 



where 



