[ *47 1 
II. SPrfrf of a Letter from Dr. Steigertahi, 
F. R. S. to Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. Fref 
R. S. giving an Account of a Narhual or 
Unicorn Fifli, lately taken in the River 
Oft, Datchy of Bremen, dated at Hano- 
ver, Apriilo Franjlated from the 
French by T. S. M. D. &c. 
T Owards the End of January laft, N. S. we had 
the Curiofity to catch a fort of Whale called the 
Narhual on Sea-Unicorn. It was taken in the RiverO/?, 
near the Village Bellum , where it falls into the Elbe y 
(in theDutchy of Bremen y which belongs to our Mo- 
narch) four German* Miles from the Sea. They took 
a great Quantity of Fat out of it, to make (Thrann 
6r) Whale-Oil i but obferved, that this Train-Oil was 
of a Stench almoft intolerable, by reafon that this 
Narhual feeds on Carcafles : For Nar fignifies a Car- 
cafs or dead Body, according to Valentini in his Mur 
feum Mufeorumi Book III. Chap. 30. 
There was fuch Care taken of the Skin, before the 
Diffe&ion, that it was cured with Salt and Alum, and 
ftufPd fo as to give the juft Figure of theFifh : Having 
left with it the Bones of the Skull, and fome Verte- 
brae near the Tail. 
The Skin was fpotted with dark brown Spots upon 
a white Ground. The Epidermis was tranfparent, 
and under it was another Skin very thin and fpotted 5 
but the true Skin was brown, and near an Inch in 
Thickneis. On. the Top of the Head they only found 
a femilunar Hole, as in the Porpoife, according to the 
Dc, 
