In The Intermediate Classes
May Be Reckoned Sharks Of A Monstrous Size, Skait, Rock-Cod, Grey-Mullet,
Bream, Horse-Mackarel, Now And Then A Sole And John Dory, And Innumerable
Others Unknown In Europe, Many Of Which Are Extremely Delicious,
And Many Highly Beautiful.
At the top of the list, as an article of food,
stands a fish, which we named light-horseman.
The relish of this
excellent fish was increased by our natives, who pointed out to us
its delicacies. No epicure in England could pick a head with more glee
and dexterity than they do that of a light-horseman.
Reptiles in the swamps and covers are numerous. Of snakes there are two
or three sorts: but whether the bite of any of them be mortal,
or even venomous, is somewhat doubtful. I know but of one well attested
instance of a bite being received from a snake. A soldier was bitten
so as to draw blood, and the wound healed as a simple incision usually does
without shewing any symptom of malignity. A dog was reported to be bitten
by a snake, and the animal swelled and died in great agony. But I will
by no means affirm that the cause of his death was fairly ascertained.
It is, however, certain that the natives show, on all occasions,
the utmost horror of the snake, and will not eat it, although they esteem
lizards, goannas, and many other reptiles delicious fare. On this occasion
they always observe that if the snake bites them, they become lame,
but whether by this they mean temporary or lasting lameness I do not pretend
to determine.
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