OFSELBORNE. 53 
linea lateralis, as are the back and tail fins : a black line runs 
from each eye down to the nofe ; it's belly is of a filvery 
white ; the upper jaw projeds beyond the lower, and is fur- 
rounded with fix feelers, three on each fide : it's peftoral fins 
*' are large, it's ventral much fmaller ; the fin behind it's anus 
" fmall ; it's dorfal-fin large, containing eight fpines ; it's tail, 
*' where it joins to the tail-fin, remarkably broad, without any 
tapernefs, fo as to be charadteriftic of this genus : the tail-fin 
is broad, and fquare at the end. From the breadth and muf- 
" cular ftrength of the tail it appears to. be an adive nimble 
« fifh." 
In my vifit I was not very far from Hungerford, and did not 
forget to make fome inquiries concerning the wonderful method 
of curing cancers by means of toads. Several intelligent per- 
fons, both gentry and clergy, do, I find, give a great deal of 
credit to what was aflerted in the papers : and I myfelf dined 
with a clergyman who feemed to be perfuaded that what is related 
is matter of fad; but, when I came to attend to his account, I 
thought I difcerned circumftances which did not a little invalidate 
the woman's fiory of the manner in which flie came by her ikilL- 
She fays of herfelf *' that, labouring under a virulent cancer, flie 
went to fome church where there was a vaft crowd : on going; 
into a pew, flie was accofted by a fi:range clergyman; who, 
after expreffing compaffion for her fituation, told her that if fhe 
would make fuch an application of living toads as is mentioned 
*' fhe would be well." Now is it likely that this unknown gen- 
tleman fliould exprefs fo much tendernefs for this fingle fulFcrer, 
and not feel any for the many thoufands that daily languifli under 
this terrible diforder ? Would he not have made ufe of this 
invaluable noftrum for his own emolument ; or, at leafi, by 
fome. 
