CLIMBING SPARUS. 
168 
quents. In this situation it was observed in the 
month of November 1791, at Tranquebar, by lieu- 
tenant BaldorfF, who communicated its description 
to sir Joseph Banks. It was seen ascending a fissure 
in the stem of the palm called Borcissus Jiabellifer , 
growing near a pool of water, and was observed to 
move itself forwards by alternately applying the 
spiny sides of the gill-covers to the sides of the 
fissure, assisting itself at the same time by the 
spines on each side the tail, and had already ascend- 
ed to the height of more than five feet above the 
water when it was first observed ; it was found to be 
very tenacious of life, moving about on dry sand 
many hours after it was taken. The spines of the 
gill-covers are considered by the natives as of a 
poisonous nature.” 
