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XIV. An Account of a Fifr from Batavia, 
called Jaculator : In a Letter to Mr, 
Peter Collinfon, F. R, S. from John Al- 
bert Schloffer, M. D. F. R. fr 
Dear Sir, Amfterdam, 22d Feb. 1763. 
Read March 1 TT A V I N G lately received from 
£~|. Mr. Hommel, governor of the 
hofpital at Batavia, many uncommon fifhes, well 
preserved, amongft them is one as curious for it’s 
^iape, as for it's extraordinary manner of obtaining 
it’s food. It is new to me, and, T believe, hath never 
been obferved by any writer on natural hiftory. [Vide 
Tab. X.] 
I requeft the favour, that you will prefent this rare 
fiili to the Royal Society, as a fmall, but fincere proof 
of the gratitude and efteem, which I really have for 
that refpedable, learned body. 
Governor Hommel gives the following account of 
the Jaculator or (hooting fifh, a name alluding to it’s 
nature. It frequents the (bores and (ides of the fea 
and rivers, in fearch of food. When it fpies a fly 
fitting on the plants, that grow in (hallow water, it 
fwims on to the diftance of four, five, or fix feet, 
and then, with a furprizing dexterity, itejeds out of 
it s tubular-mouth a Angle drop of water, which ne- 
ver fails (biking the fly into the fea, where it foon 
becomes it’s prey. 
Vol. LIV. 
N 
The 
