I received your courteous letter; and with all respects I now again salute you. The mola piscis is almost yearly taken on our coast. This last year one was taken of about two hundred pounds weight. Divers of them I have opened; and have found many lice sticking close unto their gills, whereof I send you some. In your Pinax I find onocrotalus, or pelican; whether you mean those at St. James's, or others brought over, or such as have been taken or killed here, I know not. I have one hung up in my house, which was shot in a fen ten miles off, about 7 Bait for codling.-G. 8 The Garrulous Roller. 9 Not uncommon; I had a young one brought me a few years ago.-G. 1 It is becoming scarce at Cromer. The fat amber most commonly occurs.-G. 398 MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [1668. four years ago; and because it was so rare, some conjectured it might be one of those which belonged unto the king, and flew away. Ciconia, rarò huc adeolat. I have seen two in a watery marsh, eight miles off; another shot, whose case is yet to be seen. Vitulus marinus. In tractibus borealibus et Scotia. No rarity upon the coast of Norfolk. At low water I have known them taken asleep under the cliffs. Divers have been brought to me. Our seal is different from the Mediterranean seal; as having a rounder head, a shorter and stronger body. Rana piscatrix. I have often known taken on our coast; and some very large. Xiphias, or gladius piscis, or sword-fish, we have in our seas. I have the head of one which was taken not long ago, entangled in the herring-nets. The sword about two feet in length. Among the whales you may very well put in the spermacetus, or that remarkably peculiar whale which so aboundeth in spermaceti. About twelve years ago we had one cast up on our shore, near Wells, which I described in a peculiar chapter in the last edition of my "Pseudodoxia Epidemica;" and another was, divers years before, cast up at Hunstanton; both whose heads are yet to be seen. Ophidion, or, at least, ophidion nostras, commonly called a sting-fish, having a small prickly fin running all along the back, and another a good way on the belly, with little black spots at the bottom ofthe back fin. If the fishermen's hands be touched or scratched with this venomous fish, they grow painful and swell. The figure hereof I send you in colours. They are common about Cromer. See Schoneveldeus, "De Ophidia." Piscis octogoniru, or octangularis, answering the description of Cataphractus Schonevelde; only his is described with the fins spread; and when it was fresh taken, and a large one. However, this may be nostras, I send you one; but I have seen much larger, which fishermen have brought me. 2 The Stork. 3 Very rarly seen at Cromer. I think they are met with on sandbanks near Hunstanton.-G 4 Frog-fish 1668.] MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 399 Physsalus. I send one which hath been long opened and shrunk and lost the colour. When I took it upon the seashore, it was full and plump, answering the figure and description of Rondeletius. There is also a like figure at the end of Muffetus. I have kept them alive; but observed no motion, except of contraction and dilatation. When it is fresh, the prickles or bristles are of a brisk green and amethist colour. Some call it a sea-mouse. Our mullet is white and imberbis; but we have also a mullus barbatus ruber miniaceus, or cinnaberinus; somewhat rough, and but dry meat. There is of them major and minor, resembling the figures in Johnstonus, tab. xvii, Rotbart. Of the acus marinus, or needle fishes, I have observed three sorts. The acus Aristotelis, called here an addercock; acus major, or garfish, with a green verdigrease back-bone; the other, saurus acui similis. Acus sauroides, or sauriformis, as it may be called; much answering the description of saurus Rondeletii. In the hinder part much resembling a mackerell. Opening one, I found not the back-bone green. Johnstonus writes nearest to it, in his Acus Minor. I send you the head of one dried; but the bill is broken. I have the whole draught in picture. This kind is much more near than the other, which are common, and is a rounder fish. Vermes marini are large worms found two feet deep in the sea-sands, and are digged out at the ebb for bait. The avicula Maialis, or May chit; is a little dark grey bird, somewhat bigger than a stint, which cometh in May, or the latter end of April, and stayeth about a month. A marsh bird, the legs and feet black, without heel; the bill black, about three quarters of an inch long. They grow very fat, and are accounted a dainty dish. A dorhawk, a bird not full so big as a pigeon, somewhat of a woodcock colour, and paned somewhat like a hawk, with a bill not much bigger than that of a titmouse, and a very wide throat; known by the name of a dorhawk, or preyer upon beetles, as though it were some kind of accipiter muscarius. In brief, this accipiter cantharophagus, or dorhawk, is avis 5 I have seen a sea-mouae taken out of a cod-fish, but thev are not common at Cromer. -G. 400 MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [1668. rostratula gutturosa, quasi coaxans, scarabæis vescens, sub vesperam volans, ovum speciosissimum excludens. I have had many of them; and am sorry I have not one to send you. I spoke to a friend to shoot one; but I doubt they are gone over. Of the upupas, divers have been brought me; and some I have observed in these parts, as I travelled about. The aquila Gesneri I sent alive to Dr. Scarburg, who told me it was kept in the colledge. It was brought me out of Ireland. I kept it two years in my house. I am sorry I have only one feather of it to send you. A shoeing-horn or barker, from the figure of the bill and barking note; a long made bird, of white and blackish colour; fin-footed; a marsh-bird; and not rare some times of the year in Marshland. It may upon view be called, recurvirostra nostras, or avoseta; much resembling the avosetæ species in Johnstonus, tab. 5. I send you the head in picture. Four curlews I have kept in large cages. They have a pretty shrill note; not hard to be got in some parts of Norfolk. Have you the scorpius marinus Schoneveldei? Have you put in the musca tuliparum muscata? That bird which I said much answered the description of garrulus argentoratensis, I send you. It was shot on a tree ten miles off, four years ago. It may well be called the parrot jay, or garrulus psittacoides speciosus. The colours are much faded. If you have it before, I should be content to have it again; otherwise you may please to keep it. Garrulus Bohemicus probably you have. A pretty handsome bird, with the fine cinnabrian tips of the wings. Some which I have seen have the tail tipt with yellow, which is not in their description. I have also sent you urtica mas, which I lately gathered at Golston, by Yarmouth, where I found it to grow also twenty- five years ago. Of the stella marina testacea, which I sent you, I do not find the figure in any book. I send you a few flies, which, some unhealthful years, come about the first part of September. I have observed them so numerous upon plashes in the marshes and marish ditches, 6 The Golden Eagle. 8 The Waxen Chatterer. 7 The Garrulous Roller. 9 Marshy. 1668.] MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 401 that, in a small compass, it were no hard matter to gather a peck of them. I brought some; what my box would hold; but the greatest part are scattered, lost, or given away. For memory's sake, I wrote on my box muscæ palustres autumnales.

I am very joyful that you have recovered your health, whereof I heartily wish the continuation for your own and the public good. And I humbly thank you for the courteous present of your book. With much delight and satisfaction I had read the same not once in English. I must needs acknowledge your comment more acceptable to me than the text, which I am sure is a hard obscure piece without it, though I have not been a stranger unto the vitriary art, both in England and abroad. I perceive you have proceeded far in your Pinax. These few at present I am bold to propose, and hint unto you; intending, God willing, to salute you again. A paragraph might probably be annexed unto Quercus. Though we have not all the exotic oaks, nor their excretions, yet these and probably more supercrescencies, productions, or excretions may be observed in England. Viscum-polypodium-juli-pilulæ-gemmæ foraminatæ foliorum-excrementum fungosum verticibus scatens-excrementum lanatum-capitula squamosa jacææ æmula-nodi- melleus liquor-tubera radicum vermibus scatentia-muscus -lichen-fungus-varæ quercinæ. Capillaris marina sparsa, fucus capillaris marinus sparsus; sive, capillitius marinus; or sea perriwig. Strings of 402 MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [1668. this are often found on the sea-shore. But this is the full figure, I have seen three times as large. I send you also a little elegant sea-plant, which I pulled from a greater bush thereof, which I have, resembling the backbone of a fish. Fucus marinus vertebratus pisciculi spinum referens, ichthyorachius; or what you think fit. And though perhaps it be not worth the taking notice of formicaæ arenariæ marinæ, or at least muscus formicarius marinus: yet I observe great numbers by the sea-shore, and at Yarmouth, an open sandy coast, in a sunny day, many large and winged ones, may be observed upon, and rising out of the wet sands, when the tide falls away. Notonecton, an insect that swimmeth on its back, and mentioned by Muffetus, may be observed with us. I send you a white reed-chock by name. Some kind of funco, or little sort thereof. I have had another very white when fresh. Also the draught of a sea-fowl, called a sheerwater, billed like a cormorant, fiery, and snapping like it upon any touch. I kept twenty of them alive five weeks, cramming them with fish, refusing of themselves to feed on any thing; and wearied with cramming them, they lived seventeen days without food. They often fly about fishing ships when they clean their fish, and throw away the offal. So that it may be referred to the lari, as larus niger gutture albido rostro adunco. Gossander.-Videtur esse puphini species. Worthy sir, that which we call a gossander, and is no rare fowl among us, is a large well-coloured and marked diving fowl, most answering the merganser. It may be like the puffin in fatness and rankness; but no fowl is, I think, like the puffin, differenced from all others by a peculiar kind of bill. Burganders, not so rare as Turn makes them, common in Norfolk, so abounding in vast and spacious warrens. If you have not yet put in larus minor, or stern, it would not be omitted, so common about broad waters and plashes not far from the sea.

A STURGEON. Acipenser. Sturio, because one of the greatest of edible Fishes; for Stur, in the Danish-Tongue, signifies Great. (a) (a) Wormius. See Wormius his Description. Especially that of Salvianus, with his curious figure. The like in Besler. The parts by which he is best distinguished, are his very long and sharp Snout, his little Mouth, to be seen only when he lies on his back, and his thick and bony Scales; which stand in Rows so, as to make the Fish almost Pentangular. The figure of most of the side Scales is Rhomboidal. It is affirmed by Moufet, (a) (a) L. de Re Cibaria. That the Scales of a Sturgeon turn towards the Head; borrowing his Error herein of Pliny.

The PREKE or POULPS. Polypus. See the Description in Rondeletius and others. 'Tis a Naked-Fish, having eight Fingers or Arms spread out almost like the Rays of a Star- Fish, and the Mouth in a manner in the middle of them. Their Arms serve them both to swim with, and to Attaque the Prey. When they are pursu'd by a fish, they presently cast forth a black Liquor, which they have always ready in a Bag, and wherewith they darken the water, and so make their escape. Being boiled with Wine and Spices, they are, saith Moufet, (b) (b) Lib. de Re Cibariâ. a very excellent meat.

The Sea-Urchin maketh its progressive motion with its Prickles which it useth instead of Feet. (a) (a) Arist. H. Anim. lib. 4. c. 5. And it is affirmed, by Moufet, particularly of the Great Oval, that it moveth in a spiral line.

The under or hinder Wings of a Bee, are the least; that they may not incommode his flight. (a) (a) Mouf. de Insect. cap. 1. The Honey-Bag, is the Stomach, which they always fill to satisfie, and to spare; vomiting up the greater part of the Honey, to be kept against Winter. A curious Description and Figure of the Sting, see in Mr. Hook's Micrography. In windy Weather, Bees often hold a little stone in their hinder Feet; which serves as a Ballast to make them sail through the Air more steadily. (b) (b) Ibid. The History of Bees, the best that Aristotle hath given us, (c) (c) Hist. An. lib. 9. c. 40. of any one Animal. Of their Polity, Generation, Conservation, Diseases, and Use; see also Moufet, Butler, and a late Treatise of Mr. Rusden. All that Authors speak of the Spontaneous Generation of Bees, is fabulous. The ashes of Bees are put into most Compositions for breeding of Hair.

The Middle ADDERS Boult. It is of a dark-Green. The Head small, the Chest or middle part short, the Belly very long and slender. Moufet reckons up in all about 20 sorts.

The FEN-KRICKET or CHUR-WORME: Because towards Night, when he comes out of his Buries, he makes a noise like that of a Kricket. So great, saith Moufet, as to be heard above a mile off. Gryllotalpa: so called by the same Author, for that with his fore-feet, which are very strong and broad, and shaped like those of a Mole, he continually digs up, and makes himself Buries in the Earth. His hinder Feet are very long, wherewith he leaps; and by which, as well as by his Hood, he borders at least, upon the Grashopper-Kind. His Hood or Mantle, which Moufet I think omits, is about ½ an inch long; extended forward, over part of his Head; behind, over part of his Wings; before Concave, behind Convex.

The little THREE-HORNED BEETLE. Scarabæus Triceros minor. Moufet seems to describe it by the Name of Βουκερὼς; but imperfectly. His Head is guarded with two Shoulder-Horns, and one in the Neck between them, not in his Forehead, as Moufet mistakes. They are all three immoveable or unjoynted, of the thickness of a little Pin, or the bigness of short Gooseberry Thorns. That in the middle stands reared upward, the other two are bended a little downward. In all other parts 'tis shaped like the Scarabœus Melanocyaneus with furrow'd Wing-shells; of which anon.

The Goat-Chafer, saith Moufet, being weary with flying, to spare his weak Legs, wraps his Horns (I doubt weaker than his Legs) about the Twig of a Tree, and so rests himself.

The MUSK-GOAT-CHAFER. Capricornus odoratus. It is of the Middle-kind. Described by Moufet. (a) (a) Cap. 21. While it lives, and for sometime after its death, It hath a fragrant smell; from whence the Name.

The DORR or HEDGE-CHAFER. Scarabæus Arboreus. Described by Moufet. His chief marks are these, His Head small like that of the common Beetle. This and his Eyes black, notwithstanding Moufet saith these are yellow. His Shoulder-piece and the middle of his Belly also black; but just under the Wing-shells spoted with white. His Wingshells, Legs, and the end of his Tail (which is long and flatpointed) of a light Chestnut. His Breast, especially, cover'd with a downy-Hair.

The Great English WATERCLOCK. Hydrocantharus major Anglicus. Described (a) (a) Lib. 1. c. 23. and figur'd (b) by Moufet. It comes near, in bigness, to the former; as also in shape; but hath no Needle, neither are the Wing-shells below the (b) At the end of the Second Book. Belly. That part most observable in him, is his Eye, which is of a curious bright colour, almost like a Butterflys.

These Insects make use of their hinder Feet instead of Oars. They are seldom or never seen in the day, excepting in the Water, which they leave in the night, and fly up and down, (c)(c) Moufet, lib. 1. c. 23.

The BOAT-FLY. Notonecta. Described by Moufet, but very briefly. (d) (d) Lib. 2. c. 38. A Water-Insect, in shape like that which lives in Cuccow Spittle, but six times as big, sc. ⅔ of an inch long. The upper Wings are opacous and thicker before; at their hinder ends, where they lap over; transparent and extream thin, like the Wing of a Fly.

The Great WINGED PUNEE. Cimex sylvestris alatus major. Moufet (f) (f) Lib. 1. c. 29. hath given three good Figures of this Kind, but scarce describes them. All the Species agree, in having a very small Head, broad Shoulders, a Pyramidal Back-piece, and the upper Wings somewhat like as in the Boat-Fly, sc. half Crustaceous and half Membranous. This, is almost ¼ of an inch long, near ½ an inch broad. His Shoulder and Back-Pieces yellow, shining and rough cast. The fore half or crusty part of the upper Wings of a russet, the Membranous of a sad green. The Belly straw colour'd and Chesnut, and divided into several Sections with black Lines, half of them meeting at the ridge of the Belly.

The GRFAT GREAT GALLY-WORME. Scolopendra. Described both by Moufet and Aldrovandus: but yet imperfectly. Neither is this here entire. Yet thus much remains Observable of the Feet; That each of them is armed, in the room of Claws, with three, four, or five Needles, of different thickness and length; some of them above ¼ of an inch long; of a black shining colour like the Sting of a Bee, and equally sharp; in respect to which the Figure neither of Moufet nor of Aldrovandus doth any way answer. Besides these, there are a great many more on each side, of the like shape and bigness, but of the colour of Copper or tarnish'd Brass. The Back and Sides are shag'd, the Belly smooth or bald. He is about three inches and ½ long.

The RED or CRIMSON CATERPILLER. Vinula. So called, because, while living, his Body is dy'd all over with a deep Claret colour. See Moufet hereof. (a) (a) Lib. 2. cap. 2.

The SQUILL-INSECT. Described by Moufet. (b) (b) L. 2. c. 37. So called from some similitude to the Squill-Fish: chiefly, in having a long Body cover'd with a Crust composed of several Rings or Plates. The Head is broad and squat. He hath a pair of notable sharp Fangs before, both hooked inward like a Bulls Horns.

The WATER-SCORPION. Moufet (c) (c) Cap. 38. figures three sorts; to the third of which, this answers. He describes it not. Nor can I well, being glewed to a Paper with the Belly upward. But it may be easily known by its pointed Tail. He hath four Legs, and two Arms or Claws, betwixt which a very small Head. He's about ¾ of an inch long.

The SHARP-TAIL'D SEA-LOUSE. Pediculus marinus cauda acuta. Moufet (a) (a) Lib. 38. describeth an Insect by the Name of Pediculus marinus. But with a bunched, not a taper'd Tail, nor with long nodous Horns, like this. 'Tis about an inch and ½ long, and ½ inch broad, compos'd of several shelly Plates, like the Asellus or Wood-Louse, with as many Feet on each side.

HErewithHerewith you will receive a Cervus volans or two, which I take to be different from those described by Moufet in his Theat. Insect. p. 148, 149. theseThese are plentifully found about Colchester, especially towards the Sea-Coast. Besides these I have happened upon divers sorts of Scarabs, which I cannot find figured in your curious Tabulæ Mutæ in the Appendix Hist. Animal Angl. as the Βουκερως Moufet. p. 152. a Species or two of Canthaarides, three or four sorts of Lady Bugs, and others; which, although of most of them I have at present but single Specimens, yet if you desire the sight of them to design and fill up the Vacancies of your Plates with, they shall be sent up to you. Last Summer being on our Sea-Coast at Harwich, I observed no less than five or six Species of Cochleæ Marinæ two of which I have since found to be already noted by you in your excellent Hist. Conchyl. as of English Production, viz. Sect. 5. n. 19. and 43. A third I have which is by you figured, viz. n. 13. but is not marked as found in England. The fourth agrees with your n. 8. in Figure, but having no Name, I cannot be positive, I therefore desire your Name of it: (51) This I did see taken out of the Sea by the Fishermen, among Sea-Weeds, and is solitary. The other two (if they are distinct) I have herewith sent you, desiring your Opinion. Among other things which the Fishermen brought up, there were divers of those Marine Animals, which by Dr. Molyneux, Philos. Trans. n. 225. are taken for nondescripts, and refer’d to the Classis of Scolopendræ Marinæ, these our Fishermen call, Sea-Mice, and are described by Rondeletius, and by Moufet, and Johnson, figur’d under the Title of Physalus, but badly. I had like to have forgot observing to you, that the Female Cervus Volans is pretty well represented by Moufet, in his first table at the end of his Book, but without a Name, I have sent you one of them also, which was found in Coitu with the Male Else very different. I should be glad to see your Journal to Paris, or any of those petrified Shells you found there, if you can spare them.

A great winged Locust; it is the first Sort described by Moufet (ic), (ic) Insectorum Theatrum, p. 117. having greenish Wings stained with black Spots. Don. Rev. Jac. Coningham V D M.