Dr. Townes to Mr. Dent, Wc. 133 



that tho' never fo little fqueefc'd, it fends forth Wa- 

 ter-Drops about the Bignefs of a fmall Pea through 

 its Pores, and fo harfti, that it wore my Nails, as I 

 was helping to flea it, to the quick almoft in a Mo- 

 ment. I believe you may now whet your Knife up- 

 on it. His Ventricle is without any Folds in its in- 

 moft Coat, or any fenfible Acidity, which makes me 

 think, that perhaps the Philofophers do not juflly at- 

 tribute Concoffiion to the famous Succus Acidus and 

 Calor ItmatuSj for both of thefe he wants, and yet is 

 extremely voracious, infomuch one was taken (by 

 fome of our Seamen in^ a former Voyage) that had 

 in his Belly a Woman ftitch'd up in a ftrong Rug, 

 and bit into Halves, and almoft digefted to the Bones 

 within the Compafs of a very few Hours 5 for the 

 Woman died, and was thrown over-board the fame 

 Day the Shark was taken. He has ufually the Atten- 

 dance of about z or 3 Pilot* Fijhes about a Foot long, 

 which are commonly feen to tafte of the Bait imme- 

 diately before their Mafter : And there are often 

 found fticking to his Side fmall Fillies, which, with 

 tranfverfe Folds upon the Head and Back, cling clofe 

 to his Skin, and I believe wait there for fome little 

 Reverfions that flip fi;om his Teeth. When he 

 catcheth at a Prey^ he turns his Belly up, thrufieth 

 his Jaw-bones forth of the Skin, (as you fee it now) 

 and fets his Teeth upright, which, at other times, lie 

 flat, in 3, 4, f, or 6 Rows, according as his Age is. 

 I could make no more Obfervations, the Seamen urg- 

 ing me to rid him out of hand, thinking it a very 

 childifti Thing to fit poring on a Carcafs. I fee daily 

 here ftrange Plants, which, with their Seeds and o- 

 ther Toys, I would have long ago fent you, could 

 I have got a Friend that would take care of them j 

 but as foon as may be you ftiall have them. 



This is part of theLetterl receiv'dfrom T)r.Towne, 

 and mentioned to you. I have the Fifti hanging in 

 my Hall. 



Dr. 



