3 84 Mr* marsden’s Account of a Phenomenon 
and other bilious diflempers, the depreffion of fpirits which 
they laboured under not a little contributing to haften the fatal 
effects. The natives alfo died in great numbers. 
In the month of November 1775, the dry feafon having 
then exceeded its ufual period, and the S.E. winds continuing 
with unremitting violence, the fea was obferved to be covered, 
to the diftance of a mile,, and in fome places a league from 
fhore, with fijh floating on the furface. Great quantities of 
them were at the fame time driven on the beach or left there 
by the tide, fome quite alive, others dying, but the greateft part 
quite dead. The fifh thus found were not of one but various fpe- 
cies, both large and fmall, fiat and round, the Cat-fifh and Mullet 
being generally the moft prevalent. The numbers were prodigi- 
ous, and overfpread the fhore to the extent of fome degrees ; of 
this I had ocular proof or certain information, and probably they 
extended a confiderable way farther than I had opportunity of 
making enquiry. Their firft appearance was fudden ; but 
though the numbers diminifhed, they continued to be thrown 
up, in fome parts of the coaft, for at leaf! a month, furnifhing 
the inhabitants with food, which, though attended with no 
immediate ill confequence, probably contributed to the un- 
healthinefs fo feverely felt.. No alteration in the weather had 
been remarked for many days previous to their appearance. 
The thermometer flood as ufual at the time, of year at about 
85°* . 
Various were the conje£lures formed as to the caufe of this 
extraordinary phenomenon, and almoft as various and contra- 
dictory were the confequences deduced by the natives from an 
omen fo portentous; fome inferring the continuance, and 
others, with equal plaufibility, a relief from the drought; 
With refpeCt to the caufe, I mult confefs myfelf much at a 
7 lofs 
