C 4o8 ) 
but downwards they grew lefs and • fliorter , ftill 
gradually diminilhing, the nearer they approached 
the end of the Tail ; where they were fo minute, 
that they were inftnfibly loft, and not eafily to be di- 
ftinguifhed by the Eye. I diftinftly counted from the 
Mouth to the Tail, on one fide Thirty Six, fb that on 
both Sides, the Number of Feet amounted in all to 
Seventy Two , and I could not be pofitive but there 
might be ftiljmore: Yet thofe Feet which I plainly 
diftinguifhed were a vaft Number for fb fliort a Rep- 
tile. From within the Body, through the middle of 
each Foot, paft Four, Five or Six ot the fame fort of 
fharp hard. Prickles, that were interfpers'd among the 
foft Hair; thefe were larger or fmaller, and more er 
lefs in Number , according to the Size of the Foot, 
and gave it ftrdngth and firmneft inftead of Bones ; 
and likewife , ifluing forth beyond the end of the \ 
Foot, ferved in lieu of Toes or Claws, for the 
Defence of the Creature, or to take hold by as it 
walked. 
^ The Fins Joining to this row of Feet, towards the Back, was 
Number. J^^nged along each fide in a diredt Line, a Series of 
fmall, thin, foft, flat Fins, face to face, in fuch an or- 
der, that each Foot was exaftly anfwered by its corre- 
fpondent Fin, fo that their Number was precifely the 
fame with that of the Feet, and they kept the fame 
rule of proportion in their Size, ftill gradually dimi- 
nifliing, the nearer they approached towards the Tail. 
I diftindly counted of thefe as of the Feet , Thirty 
Six of a Side ; each Fin was curioully fringed at the 
edge, with the fame beautifully coloured Hair, I be- 
fore-mentioned to have covered the Sides and part of 
itsMotion. jj^g g^^j^ gy j^^lp ^^^f^ Fi^jj performed progref- 
five Motion through the Water as a Filb, and by means 
of 
