The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Jonah [Biblical figure] ( - )

Biblical prophet who was swallowed by a fish. Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08497b.htm Other biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah References in Documents:
MS Book of the dean of Christ Church (MacGregor, ed.) 594 Cultri manubrium forma balænæ ex Ebore sculptum, in cujus fastigio figura Jonæ e faustibus ejusprodeuntis. 544 Knife-handle carved in ivory in the form of a whale, on the tip of which is the figure of Jonah emerging from its mouth. MacGregor 1983, no. 207.
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

The Jaws of a young Shark. Those of another somewhat larger; and the Jaws of a Great Shark (Don. Jo. Bearcliffe Pharm.) these are near two Yards wide; there are four, and in one Place five Rows of Teeth visible; they are white, broad and indented. A dark-coloured serrated Tooth of a Shark from Maryland. Don. Ric. Richardson M. D. A most remarkable one petrified; the bony Part is two Inches and a half long, smooth and shining, besides the Root which is rugged. Now comparing this, with those in the Head of an entire Shark, amongst the Curiosities of the Royal Society, (which are not half an Inch in the Animal that is two Yards long (d)(d) Idem, pag. 91. , and it will appear, that the Shark, to which this belonged, hath been above thirty Foot in Length. The Gula of the Shark is so wide, that a Man may be swallowed entire; and some are of Opinion, that Jonah was in the Belly of one of these Fishes three Days and Nights (e)(e) Dr. Sloan's Voyage to Jamaica. pag. 23. . The Vertebræ of a Fish (perhaps a Shark) it consists of thirty five Joints, with two Cavities in each for the Inarticulation of the Ribs.

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713) The Byble whych is all the Holy Scripture, in whych are contayned the old and newe Testament truelye and purely translated into Englyshe by Tho. Matthewe 1537, and now imprinted in the yeare of our Lorde MDXLIX. (Folio London) by Tho. Raynalde and Will. Hyll. Of this Edition see Fox's Mart. 2d Vol. p. 434. And Strype's Mem. of Archbishop Cranmer, p. 82. That the Name of Tyndall (who was burnt for reputed Heresy) might not prejudice the Book, the Name of Tho. Matthewe (Prebendary of St. Paul's, who dedicated it to the King) was used, tho' Tyndall had translated all but the Hagiographia, which was done by John Rogers, the Proto-Martyr, in Qu. Mary's Reign, who added Notes, &c. After the Kalendar and Almanack, follow an Exhortation to the Study of the Scriptures; the Summ and Contents of the Holy Scripture; Description of the Kings of Juda, and what Prophets were in each Reign; a Table of principal Matters; Names of the Books, and Number of Chapters; a brief Chronology; Prologues to the Pentateuch; Jonah and Romans, and Notes at the End of each Chapter. In the Tables of Epistles and Gospels, several Popish Festivals are crept in again, as St. Nicholas, St. Lawrence, the finding and Exaltation of the Cross.