The VIVIPAROUS EEL-POUT. Mustela marina vivipara. (the Male, Lupus marinus Schonfeldii.) 'Tis well pictur'd by Adam Oleareus, (a) (a) Tab. 27. f. 2. who calls it a Sea-Wolf (Ein See-Wolf). As also by Johnston; but not described. But in Gesner's Paralypomena 'tis both figur'd and described by Ge. Fabritius under the Name of Klipfisch (i. e. Rock-Fish,) so called by the people near the Baltick (where he breeds.) Fabritius is particular only as to the Teeth, and is also mistaken in some things. I shall therefore add the Description I drew up before I met with his.

'Tis a yard long. The Head ½ a foot long, and almost as high; being compressed on the sides, three inches and ½ over underneath, her Forehead but a little above two. Her Snout a little Convex. The Eyes very high, an inch long. The Nostrils before the Eyes ¼ of an inch. Both the Chaps blunt-angled before, from the Corners of the Mouth three inches long, between the Corners, as much.

The Teeth all very thick, like those of Quadrupedes; both in figure and scituation, very unusual. In the upper Jaw, five before; not Incisors, or Cutters, but thick Punchers. To the Roots of which, within side, grow as it were nine little Teeth. Behind, are three Grinders; one of which, on each side, is fasten'd obliquely inwards, half an inch broad, and above an inch long. The third, and the greatest, stands betwixt them in the middle of the Palate. Each of these having deep Incisions, seem, as it were, eight or ten Teeth. In the under Jaw, are two Punchers or Claviculars, each of them having two sharp Processes within side. Behind, there seems to be only one Grinder on each side, half an inch broad, and above two inches long, arched inward, and with sixteen or eighteen Incisions looking like so many Teeth.

Her Gills open almost from the top of her Head to her Throat. The Fins are four. The Gill-Fins about five inches long, and as broad, placed so low, as to meet in the Breast, and so to supply the Breast-Fins. The Back-Fin is extended from Head to Tail; before, an inch high; behind, above two. The Belly-Fin reaches from the Anus (which opens a foot behind the Head) to the Tail, about an inch deep. The Body, where highest, above ½ a foot, the Back a little convex, grows slender all the way to the Tail, the extremity whereof is here wanting. She is cover'd with a tough Skin, now of an Iron-colour, besprinkled all over with round spots.

That which is most remarkable in this Fish, are his Teeth: which are so made, as to be fit either for Ravine, or for the eating of Grass and other Herbs on the Rocks, and under Water. They seem also to be made for the Cracking of Shell-Fish. As likewise for Rumination: which may as well be ascrib'd to this Fish, as to the Scarus.

This Fish is one, amongst divers other instances of Aristotle's error, where he saith, Οιἱ δὲδ'ἰχθύες πάντες εισὶ καρχαρόδντες, πλὴν τοῦ ἑνὸς τοῦ καλουμένου Σκάρου. (a) (a) De Part. Anim. l. 3. c. 1.

The tops of this Fishes Grinders are commonly sold for Toadstones. As Dr. Christopher Merret hath also observed in his Pinax.

A Metalline Slat from the Tin-Mines.

See a large Account of the Tin-Mines of Cornwall and Devonshire, in the Phil. Transactions; (a) (a) Num. 69. communicated by a Person much conversant among them. As also another accurate one particularly of those in Cornwall; communicated by Dr. Christepher MenetMerret, and by Me published in the said Transactions. (b)(b) Num 138.

Tin is mixed with Copper, in the making of Metal for Bells, Organ-Pipes, &c. the proportion of Tin to Copper, as two to seven, or thereabout. If under, it will be too soft; if over, too brittle. The Metal used for Concaves and Speculums, is likewise a Mixture of Tin and Copper. Of Tin, with Lead, and the Marchasite of Antimony of each ⅛th part, is made one sort of Printing Letters. Of this Metal is made that sort of Ceruss, called Spanish White; one of the best, used either by Painters, or by Women. Stannum ustum, the best preservative of the polish of Metallick Concaves, and the like. Riverius (c) (c) Observ. Cent. 4. Obs. 56. highly commends his Bezoardicum Jovis against Malignant Feavers. A Mixture against the Bitings of Mad Dogs, consisting chiefly of Mithridate and the Filings of Tin, is much used and relied upon by some Huntsmen.

A piece of RICH IRON ORE, from a Hill of the same in Wiltshire, upon which is scituate a Village called Seen or Send, about nine miles from the Bath. Given by J. Aubrey Esq;. Who saith, It is so good, that the Smith there can make that which he takes up in the street, to melt in his Forge; which that in the Forrest of Dean will not do.

The same Person observing there was great abundance of it, conjectur'd, it might Impregnate some Neighbouring Spring. And upon trial, found one, amongst others, in the middle of the street very strong, beyond that of Tunbridge. For upon the affusion of a Tincture of Galls, it immediately became as black as Ink. The Village is well built, and standing so near the Bath, may be very convenient for those who drink Chalybiate Waters, either before or after they go thither. Mention also is made of this place by Dr. Christopher Merret. (b) (b) I think in his Pinax.