C 957 ) 
That Slime alfo wherewith the Bream is covered, is 
nothing elfe but a kind of Cuticula, tho' the Veflels there- 
of are lo very fmall as to require a very excellent Micro- 
fcope ; and this fubftance is likewife cover'd with ex* 
tream minute Globules, This commonly called Slime, 
does not only proceed from the innermoft Skin of the 
Filfc, but partly out of the Scales : for I difcovered clear- 
ly that part of the reprefented Scales. Fig. 13. BCD, 
w$s united to a very great number of fmall Veflels, fo 
that the remaining part of the Scale AB } DE t had no 
Veffels or Slime proceeding from it, which laft part was 
covered only by the Veflels that proceeded out of the 
other Scales. The Veflels producing this Slime, pro- 
ceeded not only from the outer part of the Scale, but 
from that fide alfo which is next the Filh ; which upper 
and under Veflels proceeding to the gibbous part of the 
Scale BCD, intermix there. The remainder of the Scale 
AB, DE, is partly covered by Veffels coming out di- 
redly from the Skin. Secondly, By Veflels proceeding 
from within, from pGH. Thirdly, By Veffels pro- 
ceeding from the gibbous parts of the Scales 1,2, 3. it is 
neceflary, that no Veflels forming this Scarf-skin, fhould 
proceed from AB, DD, otherwife the Fifh could not 
bend itfeif, if no part of the Scales were free, but that 
they were all clofely united together ; whereas, by this 
means, they can eafily flip over one another. The Vef- 
fels that proceed from one Scale in Eels, extend them- 
felves over at leafl Twenty five Scales, and interweave 
with others, whence proceeds that extraordinary tough- 
nefs obfervedin their Slime. 
Next I viewed the Scales of Ferch,&nd found them like- 
wife fumitVd withfuch a fort of Slime or Skin alfo, the 
difference being only in that the Veffels making it are 
much ftronger, fo that it is not fo eafily rubb'd off, and 
is defended bv little Pricks that Hick out at the ends of the 
Scales. 
L 1 1 Being 
