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

[ Previous ][ Next ]

John Briercliffe (1618 (bap) - 1682)

Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/3404 Relationships: John Briercliffe was a donor to Ralph Thoresby (1658-1725)

Linked print sources: as Donator of object(s) - Ducatus Leodiensis; or the topography of the town and parish of Leedes and parts adjacent ...
References in Documents:
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.