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diff --git a/35888.txt b/35888.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..498fb6f --- /dev/null +++ b/35888.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6270 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes and Letters on the Natural History of +Norfolk, by Thomas Browne + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Notes and Letters on the Natural History of Norfolk + More Especially on the Birds and Fishes + +Author: Thomas Browne + +Release Date: April 16, 2011 [EBook #35888] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NATURAL HISTORY OF NORFOLK *** + + + + +Produced by Charlene Taylor, Leonard Johnson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + + + + + NOTES AND LETTERS + + ON THE + + NATURAL HISTORY OF NORFOLK + + + +[Illustration: SIR THOMAS BROWNE TO DOCTOR CHRISTOPHER MERRETT. + +MS. RAWLINSON D. cviii., FOL. 105. --_See p. 80._] + + + + + Notes and Letters + + ON THE + + Natural History of Norfolk + + MORE ESPECIALLY ON THE + + BIRDS AND FISHES + + + + FROM THE MSS. OF + + SIR THOMAS BROWNE, M.D. + + (1605-1682) + + IN THE SLOANE COLLECTION IN THE LIBRARY OF THE BRITISH + MUSEUM AND IN THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY, OXFORD + + + + WITH NOTES BY + + THOMAS SOUTHWELL, F.Z.S. + + _Member of the British Ornithologists' Union; Vice-President of the + Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society_ + + + + LONDON + + JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C. + + [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED] + + 1902 + + * * * * * + + OBSERVATIONS + + ON THE + + FAUNA OF NORFOLK, + + AND MORE PRACTICALLY ON + + The Popular District of the Broads of Norfolk and Suffolk, + + + BY THE LATE + + REV. RICHARD LUBBOCK, M.A. + + + _New Edition, 6s.; Half Roxburgh, 7s. 6d._ + + + WITH ADDITIONS FROM UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPTS OF THE AUTHOR, AND NOTES BY + + THOMAS SOUTHWELL, F.Z.S., + + + ALSO A MEMOIR BY + + HENRY STEVENSON, F.L.S., + + + AN APPENDIX CONTAINING NOTES ON HAWKING IN NORFOLK, BY + + ALFRED NEWTON, M.A., F.R.S., ETC., + + + AND ON THE DECOYS, REPTILES, SEA FISH, LEPIDOPTERA, + AND BOTANY OF THE COUNTRY. + + "In addition to the intrinsic merits of the book, of which we can + personally speak in the superlative degree as one of the most + pleasantly-written of the many pleasant natural history books our + language is so rich in--describing, as it does, the 'Broad + District'--a country unlike any other part of England, and a very + paradise to the Botanist, Entomologist, and Ornithologist. This + new edition is edited by Mr. Thomas Southwell, the active + Secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society, whose + full and accurate knowledge of the natural history of Norfolk + better fits him for the task than any other man we know + of."--_Science Gossip._ + + "The book in its original form is well known to naturalists, and + it would be difficult to find another volume of its size which + conveys in so agreeable a manner so much accurate and trustworthy + information on the subject of which it treats. We promise to + those who have never yet read this book a rare treat from its + perusal."--_Zoologist._ + + * * * * * + + SUPPLEMENT + + TO THE + + FLORA OF NORFOLK, + + + BY + + REV. KIRBY TRIMMER, A.B. + + + _Crown 8vo. Cloth 6s._ + + The Supplement to the "Flora of Norfolk" is a record of + additional localities of many of the plants contained in that + publication, and an entry of some other plants new in the + country. + + + LONDON: JARROLD AND SONS, 10 AND 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C. + + * * * * * + + THE OFFICIAL GUIDE + + TO THE + + NORWICH CASTLE MUSEUM, + + _With an Account of its Origin and Progress_, + + BY + + THOMAS SOUTHWELL, F.Z.S., + + _Member of the British Ornithologists' Union, Vice-President of the + Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society, etc._: + + ALSO AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE CASTLE KEEP BY + + REV. WM. HUDSON, M.A., + + _Hon. Sec. Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society:_ + + + AND A GUIDE TO THE COLLECTION OF PICTURES, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF + THE "NORWICH SCHOOL" OF ARTISTS BY + + G. C. EATON, ESQ., + + _Late Hon. Sec. Norfolk and Norwich Museum._ + + (Published under the Special Sanction of the Castle Museum Committee.) + + _Profusely Illustrated, 1 6. Abridged Edition, 6d._ + + "Mr. Southwell is himself an authority on natural history, and he + has contrived to invest his description of the various specimens + with a liveliness and vigour, as well as a scientific accuracy. + He has taken care to include every object of importance, and his + work should at once take its place as the popular guide to the + Museum."--_Bookseller._ + + "An interesting and useful guide to the collection in the Museum. + It is not merely a catalogue, but a popular natural history, in + which the specimens in the cases are used as illustrations. + Sightseers will pleasantly acquire a knowledge of the leading + characteristics of the different groups of animals, and students + will gain a large amount of sound instruction."--_Nature._ + + "There is an abundance of useful information confined in a small + compass, while there are many capital illustrations."--_The + Record._ + + "Its collections are of interest not only to the antiquarian and + to the geologist, but also to the ornithologist; and the picture + gallery is worth a visit."--_Daily Telegraph._ + + "Visitors will find this cheap, handy, well-filled volume of much + service."--_The Guardian._ + + LONDON: JARROLD AND SONS, 10 AND 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C. + + * * * * * + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + + INTRODUCTION vii + + NOTES ON CERTAIN BIRDS FOUND IN NORFOLK 1 + + NOTES ON CERTAIN FISHES, ETC., FOUND IN NORFOLK 31 + + LETTERS TO MERRETT 57 + + APPENDIX A. 86 + + APPENDIX B. 90 + + APPENDIX C. 95 + + APPENDIX D. 96 + + INDEX 99 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + "Every kingdom, every province, should have its own + monographer."--_Gilbert White. Seventh Letter to Barrington._ + + +The excellent Memoir of Sir Thomas Browne, in Wilkin's Edition of his +works, renders it unnecessary here to repeat what has already been so +well done; suffice it to say that he was born in London on the 19th of +October, 1605; he was educated at Winchester School and entered at +Broadgates Hall (now Pembroke College), Oxford, in 1623; graduated B.A. +31st January, 1626-7, and M.A. 11th June, 1629. About the year 1633 he +was created Doctor of Physick at Leyden. In 1636 he took up his +residence in Norwich, in 1637 was incorporated Doctor of Physic in +Oxford, and in 1665 was chosen an Honorary Fellow of the College of +Physicians. In 1671 Browne was knighted at Norwich by Charles II., and +after a useful and honourable career died on his seventy-sixth birthday, +the 19th of October, 1682, and his body lies buried in the church of St. +Peter Mancroft, Norwich. + +Browne in early life travelled much and was a voluminous writer; he made +many friendships with men celebrated in his day, and his advice and +assistance were sought and gratefully acknowledged by Dugdale, Evelyn, +Ray and Willughby, Merrett, Sir Robert Paston (afterwards Earl of +Yarmouth), Ashmole, Aubrey, and others; but his general correspondence +does not now concern us, my object being to supply in a convenient form +what I believe will be acceptable to modern naturalists, namely, an +accurate transcript of his notes and letters on the "Natural History of +the County of Norfolk." + +These notes and letters were first published by Simon Wilkin in his +Edition of Sir Thomas Browne's Works in 1835, but they were not treated +from a naturalist's point of view, and in some places were not correctly +transcribed, added to which, in the vast mass of matter contained in +Wilkin's four large volumes (or in the closely printed three volumes of +Bohn's Edition), these interesting passages are in danger of being +overlooked or are inconvenient for reference. Two letters, moreover, +were needed to make the correspondence with Merrett complete, and these +I have been enabled to supply. I hope also that my explanatory notes, +which I trust will not be deemed too voluminous, will be found more +useful than the necessarily brief notes furnished by Wilkin and his +collaborators. Furthermore, I think that the retention of the original +spelling and punctuation may lend a charm to the quaintness of the +language which is in a measure destroyed by any attempt at modernising. + +There is much that is interesting bearing upon Natural Science scattered +throughout Browne's writings, especially in his _Pseudodoxia Epidemica_, +or inquiries into Vulgar and Common Errors, first published in 1646, and +the reader cannot fail to be impressed not only with the extent of his +classical knowledge but also with the shrewdness with which he pursued +his original investigations; but here it is only proposed to deal with +certain manuscript notes and a series of rough notes for, or copies of, +letters addressed to Dr. Christopher Merrett, the author of the _Pinax +Rerum Naturalium Britannicarum_. These, as remarked by their editor, +with regard to some other manuscripts published[A] in 1684, under the +title of "Certain Miscellany Tracts," were doubtless "rather the +_diversions_ than the _Labours_ of his Pen; and ... He did, as it +were, drop down his Thoughts of a sudden, in those spaces of vacancy +which he snatch'd from those very many occasions which gave him hourly +interruption;" but I cannot in this instance agree with the conclusion +arrived at by the same writer that it "seemeth probable that He designed +them for publick use," for they appear to be the rough drafts or +memoranda used in the production of the finished letters (which are +unfortunately not forthcoming), and were never intended for publication +in their present crude form, thus rendering pardonable such annotations +as I have ventured to add. But before proceeding further it is necessary +to consider briefly the time and circumstances under which they were +written, and the state of what passed for Natural Science at that +period. + + [A] The "Miscellany Tracts" were put forth by "Tho. Tenison" + (1636-1715), who afterwards became Archbishop of Canterbury, but + was then the Rector of a London parish, St. Martin-in-the-Fields. + He had been a Norwich school-boy, and subsequently minister of St. + Peter's Mancroft. He was doubtless well acquainted with Browne and + his family, and hence his reference in the preface quoted to "the + _Lady_ and _Son_ of the excellent Authour," who, he says, + "deliver'd" the papers to him. + +Browne wrote early in the second half of the seventeenth century, during +a period of great awakening in the study of Nature. Hitherto it could +hardly be said that a direct appeal to the works of Nature had been the +prevailing method. Aristotle was still the established authority, and +commentaries on his works occupied the minds of men to the exclusion of +original investigation, notwithstanding that this great philosopher had +himself, both by precept and example, urged the importance of direct +observation and inquiry; the Mediaeval school of thought still prevailed +and cramped every effort at progress. How keenly Browne lamented this +spirit of slavish adherence to tradition may be judged from a passage in +one of his Essays in the "Vulgar Errors" condemning the obstinate +adherence unto antiquity; he writes, "but the mortallist enemy unto +knowledge, and that which hath done the greatest execution upon truth, +hath been a peremptory adhesion unto authority; and more especially the +establishing of our belief upon the dictates of antiquity. For (as every +capacity may observe) most men of ages present, so supersticiously do +look upon ages past, that the authorities of one exceed the reason of +the other." In another place he argues that the present should be the +age of authority, seeing that we possess all the wisdom of the ancients +which has come down to us, with that of our own times added. In fact, +Browne's motto appears to have been "prove all things and hold fast +only to that which is good."[B] + + [B] There was one form of ancient authority before which Browne + bowed down with absolute and unquestioning submission--the + authority of the Scriptures. In all secular matters he was ever + ready to point the lance and do battle, but all that appealed to + him on what he regarded as divine authority was beyond the pale, + and it never entered into his mind to submit it to the test of + reason. In the "Religio Medici" he declares his devoted adherence + first to the guidance of Scripture, and secondly to the Articles of + the Church, "whatsoever is beyond, as points indifferent, I observe + according to the rules of my private reason;" and again, "where the + Scripture is silent, the Church is my text; where that speaks 'tis + but my comment; where there is a joint silence of both I borrow not + the rules of my religion from Rome or Geneva, but the dictates of + my own reason." This implicit adherence to the literal text of + Scripture led to his--shall I say active belief in, or passive + acceptance of, the existence of Witchcraft, and thus to the only + act in an otherwise blameless life which we must regard with regret + and astonishment. I refer to the consenting part he took in the + doing to death of two poor women at Bury St. Edmund's in the year + 1664. It is my business to act as Browne's exponent, not as his + apologist, but it must be borne in mind that in his day the "higher + criticism" was a thing unheard of, and that the literal sense of + the English translation of the Bible was accepted as binding not + only by him but by the vast majority of the people, including the + most learned men of the time. "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to + live" was a plain command, and given a witch the believer's duty + was also plain; that there _had_ been witches there was ample + scriptural evidence, but there was none that the days of witchcraft + had passed away. Browne only shared this belief with his pious + friend, the venerable Bishop Hall, and many men equally devout + according to their lights; he makes no secret of the fact and acts + in accordance with his convictions and the plain authority of + Scripture. Thus it came about that these conscientious but mistaken + men were induced to render possible, if not actually to + countenance, the fiendish cruelties perpetrated by their + unscrupulous allies. In matters which he considered less + authoritative his views were so liberal as to gain for him the + stigma of infidel or heretic; but let a man govern his thoughts and + actions by the private rules Browne laid down for his own guidance + (vol. iv., p. 420), and it would be hard to regard him as otherwise + than a God-fearing man, striving to live up to his profession. + +Aristotle, whose works on Natural History have descended to us in a very +imperfect condition, lived in 385-322 B.C., and it was not till A.D. 79 +that the _Historia Naturalis_ of Pliny the Elder the next great work, +which has survived till our days, was completed, and by some of those +most competent to form a judgment the additions which he made were not +in all cases improvements. Other writers followed, but their productions +were of little value, and it was not till the year 1544 that William +Turner published at Cologne what Professor Newton describes as "the +first commentary on the birds mentioned by Aristotle and Pliny conceived +in anything like the spirit that moves modern Naturalists." Turner's +book is very rare and unfortunately at present beyond the reach of most +modern students. No attempt at systematic arrangement, as now +understood, was made until the _Histoire de la Nature des Oyseaux_ of +Pierre Belon (Bellonius) appeared at Paris in 1555, for the much greater +work of Conrad Gesner, being the third book of his _Historia Animalium_, +which was published at Zurich in the same year, and treated of Birds, +followed, more or less closely, an alphabetical plan which brought upon +him the censure of Aldrovandus, three of whose sixteen folio volumes +forming the _Historia Naturalium_ bore the title of _Ornithologiae hoc +est de Avibus Historiae, Libri XII._, and were brought out at Bologna +between the years 1599 and 1603. The _Historia Naturalis_ of John +Jonston, or "Jonstonus" (1603-1675), originally published in four +sections between the years 1649 and 1653, ran through several editions, +and was a popular book in the seventeenth century; it is frequently +referred to by Browne, but is a work of very little originality. Though +all these authors undoubtedly influenced their successors, it may be +fairly said that it was Browne's contemporaries and fellow-countrymen, +Francis Willughby and John Ray, who laid the first solid foundation of +systematic zoology in their _Ornithologia_ and _Historia Piscium_, +published in 1676 and 1686 respectively; but dying in 1682, Browne was +indebted to neither of them, though he doubtless exercised much +influence over them, and he had to use the clumsy descriptive +terminology then in vogue.[C] Let me illustrate this by a single +example. In one of his letters to Merrett he names a "little elegant +sea plant" (probably _Halecium halecinum_, a species of Hydroid +Zoophyte), "_Fucus marinus vertebratus pisciculi spinum referens +ichthyorachius_, or what you think fit." On another occasion Merrett +thus expresses his approval of Browne's efforts in this direction: "You +have very well named the _rutilus_ and expressed fully the cours to bee +taken in the imposition of names, viz: the most obvious and most +peculiar difference to the ey or any other sens." We can hardly conceive +the difficulties these pioneers of Natural Science had to contend with; +the works of their predecessors were so indefinite as to be of little +value in determining species; they had to depend upon the vague +descriptions of fowlers and others; the same bird would probably be +known in half a dozen different localities by as many different names, +and since no satisfactory mode of preserving specimens had then been +discovered, examples for comparison were not available. If inextricable +confusion arose with regard to such a bird as the Osprey, well might +Browne write with regard to those less readily characterized, "I confess +for such little birds I am much unsatisfied on the names given to many +by countrymen, and uncertaine what to give them myself, or to what +classis of authors cleerly to reduce them. Surely there are many found +among us which are not described; and therefore such which you cannot +well reduce, may (if at all) be set down after the exacter nomination of +small birds as yet of uncertain class of knowledge." + + [C] In 1735 appeared the first edition of the _Systema Naturae of + Linnaeus_ which, meagre as it was, ushered in a more definite system + of classification, whilst his invention of the binomial method of + nomenclature, first used by him in the tenth edition of that work + published in 1758, contributed not a little in reducing to order + what had hitherto been a chaos, although in his classification of + birds he for the most part followed his predecessor Ray. + +I must ask pardon for this digression, but my object has been to show +the difficulties Browne had to contend with and to emphasise the +originality which pervades all his observations, a characteristic so +conspicuously absent in the work of most of his predecessors. I should +like also to call attention to his references to the migratory habits of +many species of birds, a phenomenon attracting little notice in his day, +but one which can be so readily observed on the coast of Norfolk. These +remarks were penned at a time when hibernation in a state of torpidity +was thoroughly believed in--an idea of which even Gilbert White a +hundred years later could not thoroughly divest himself. In his tract on +"Hawks and Falconry," Browne further says: "How far the hawks, merlins, +and wild-fowl which come unto us with a north-west [east?] wind in +Autumn, fly in a day, there is no clear account: but coming over the sea +their flight hath been long or very speedy. For I have known them to +light so weary on the coast, that many have been taken with dogs, and +some knocked down with staves and stones." Further than this, he knew +the seasons of their appearing--the Hobby "coming to us in the spring," +the Merlin "about autumn." His frequent mention of anatomical +peculiarities and of his dissections of many birds and beasts clearly +prove his passion for original research, and the frequent records of the +contents of the stomachs of the birds which he had the opportunity of +examining was a mode of obtaining exact information as to the nature of +their food, which I imagine was not common in those days. + +How highly Browne was esteemed by his contemporaries may be judged from +the acknowledgments of his assistance by Dugdale, Evelyn (who visited +him in Norwich in 1671), and others; and Ray especially mentions his +indebtedness to "the deservedly famous Sir Thomas Browne, Professor of +Physic in the City of Norwich." His letters to his son, Dr. Edward +Browne, are full of instructions as to the course of study he should +pursue, and subsequently, when the latter became celebrated and was +appointed Physician to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, it was still to his +father that he looked for advice in his hospital practice and in the +preparation of his lectures. Browne was proud of his adopted county, a +feeling evidently shared by his son, and I trust I may be pardoned for +quoting the concluding passage of the latter's account of a tour into +Derbyshire, wherein he expresses a sentiment which survives with +undiminished force in the breast of many a Norfolk man in the present +day. There is a very interesting account of his crossing the Wash on +leaving Lynn for Boston, but on his return to Norwich in September, +1662, he thus concludes his journal: "Give me leave to say this much: +let any stranger find mee out so pleasant a country, such good way +[roads], large heath, three such places as Norwich. Yar [Yarmouth] and +Lin [Lynn], in any county of England, and I'll bee once again a vagabond +to visit them." + +The manuscripts of which the following selection forms a part are +contained, with a few exceptions to be named hereafter, in the Sloane +Collection in the Library of the British Museum, consisting of nearly +one hundred volumes, numbered 1825 to 1923 both inclusive. A catalogue +is given by Simon Wilkin[D] (himself a Norfolk man), by whom Browne's +collected writings were first published in a connected form, as already +mentioned, under the title of "Sir Thomas Browne's Works, including his +Life and Correspondence, edited by Simon Wilkin, F.L.S. London, William +Pickering. Josiah Fletcher, Norwich, 1836." 4 volumes, 8vo; the first +volume only is dated 1836, Vols. 2, 3, and 4 being dated 1835.[E] It was +here that the Notes and Letters were first given to the public. A second +edition of the "Works," also edited by Wilkin, in three closely printed +volumes, was issued in Bohn's Antiquarian Library in 1852. In the first +edition the Notes on the Birds and Fishes will be found in Vol. IV., pp. +313 to 336, and the letters to Merrett in Vol. I., pp. 393 to 408. In +the second edition both are in Vol. III., pp. 311 to 335 and pp. 502 to +513 respectively. The references here, as a rule, will be made to the +1836 edition, when otherwise Bohn's edition will be specified. + + [D] _Simon Wilkin_ (1790-1862), the able editor of Sir Thomas + Browne's collected works, was born at Costessey near Norwich, in + the year 1790. He came to Norwich after his father's death in 1799, + taking up his temporary abode with his guardian, Joseph Kinghorn, a + Baptist minister of note and a prominent member of a literary + circle then existing in Norwich, by whom his education was + superintended. On arriving at man's estate and being at that time + possessed of ample means, he devoted himself to the study of + Natural History, especially to Entomology, and was the possessor of + a large collection of insects which, in the year 1827, was + purchased for the Norwich Museum at a cost of one hundred guineas, + a large sum in those days. He was one of the founders and the first + librarian of the Norfolk and Norwich Literary Institution in 1822, + also of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum in 1825, both of which + institutions (the former reunited to its parent Library, founded in + 1784) are still flourishing. Wilkin was a Fellow of the Linnean + Society, also a Member of the Wernerian Society of Edinburgh. In + later years the loss of the bulk of his property by a commercial + failure necessitated his turning his attention to some means of + earning a livelihood, and he established himself in Norwich as a + printer and publisher; later in life he removed to Hampstead, where + he died on 28th July, 1862, and was buried in his native village of + Costessey. + + [E] Some copies of this Edition have a title-page, bearing the name + of H. G. Bohn as publisher, and the date of 1846, but differing + only in that respect. + +The foot-notes in Wilkin's edition, many of them very curious, +initialled "Wr.," are by Dr. Christopher Wren, Dean of Windsor (father +of the Architect of St. Paul's Cathedral), and were found on the margins +of a copy of the first edition of the _Pseudodoxia_ now preserved in the +Bodleian Library at Oxford; those initialled "G." were written for +Wilkin's first edition by the late Miss Anna Gurney, of Northrepps, near +Cromer, Norfolk. + +The first papers to which I shall refer are a series of rough notes +contained for the most part in volume 1830 of the Sloane MSS., the first +portion being devoted to _Birds_ found in Norfolk, followed by a similar +series relating to marine and freshwater _Fishes_, including a few +marine invertebrata and plants. They are written on one side only of +foolscap paper, the portion relating to Birds occupying folios 5 to 19 +inclusive, folios 1 to 4 consist of two inserted letters from Merrett +to Browne (see Appendix A.), which are printed by Wilkin in his first +edition, Vol. I., pp. 442-5. The notes on Fishes are in the same volume +of manuscripts, folios 23 to 38; but there are some irregularities which +will be explained as they occur. The whole of the notes are very roughly +written, and present the appearance of a commonplace book, in which the +entries were made as the events occurred to the writer, being quite +devoid of any system or arrangement. The entries doubtless extend over +several years, but it is impossible to fix the dates on which they were +made, the only internal evidence I can find being that speaking of the +occurrence of a certain shark he states it was taken "this year, 1662," +and on the next page of the MS. there is the record of the occurrence of +a sun-fish in the year 1667; this latter, however, is evidently an +interpolation. A few pages further on there is the record of what he +calls a large mackerel, "taken this year, 1668," but this also is an +addition. We may take it, I think, that most of the notes were made +about the year 1662, but that they were added to on various occasions up +to 1668, in which year his first letter to Merrett is dated. It has been +suggested that these notes were prepared in the interest of Dr. Merrett +for his use in an enlarged edition of his _Pinax_, but the remark in his +first letter to this correspondent, "I have observed and taken notice of +many animals in these parts whereof 3 years agoe a learned gentleman of +this country wished me to give him some account, which while I was doing +ye gentleman my good friend died," clearly shows that they were +originally prepared for another purpose, although they eventually +furnished the materials for his letters to Merrett, but who his deceased +friend was it seems now useless to conjecture, although it would be +interesting to know. The notes were certainly never intended to appear +in their present form, and failing their use by Merrett which never took +place, the information they contained was, as we know, of great service +to Ray and Willughby. + +Browne's correspondent, Dr. Christopher Merrett, was born at Winchcomb, +in Gloucestershire, on the 16th of February, 1614. He graduated B.A. at +Oriel College, Oxford, about the year 1635; M.B. 1636; M.D. 1643. Was +elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1651, and was made +first Keeper of the Library and Museum; he was Censor of the College +seven times. Having entered into litigation with the College with +regard to his appointment, which was considered by that body to have +terminated when the Library was destroyed by the great fire, he was +defeated, and in 1681 expelled from his fellowship. He died in London in +1695. ("Dict. of Nat. Biog.") Merrett was the author of several works on +various subjects, as well as of the _Pinax_, and a translation of the +"Art of Glass" referred to further on. His _Pinax Rerum Naturalium +Britannicarum_, said to have been brought out in 1666, contained the +earliest list of British Birds ever published, but it is little more +than a bare list. Copies bearing the date of 1666 are very rare, and it +is believed the edition was burned in a fire at the publishers; but +Professor Newton ("Dict. of Birds," Introduction, p. xviii.) says that +in 1667 there were two issues of a reprint; one, nominally a second +edition, only differs from the others in having a new title-page, an +example doubtless of what Wilkin severely condemns as "that contemptible +form of lying under which publishers have endeavoured to persuade the +public of the rapidity of their sales." Merrett was contemplating a new +and improved edition of his work when, as Wilkin happily puts it, "in an +auspicious moment he sought the assistance of Browne, whose liberal +response is evidenced in the [drafts of the] letters still fortunately +extant, but either superseded by the more learned labours of Willughby +and Ray, or laid aside on account of the perplexities in which Merrett +became involved with the College of Physicians, the _Pinax_ never +attained an enlarged edition. Had Browne completed and published his own +'Natural History of Norfolk,' he might have contended for precedency +among the writers of County Natural Histories with [his friend] Dr. +Robert Plot,[F] who published the earliest of such works--those of +Oxford and Staffordshire, in 1677 and 1686 respectively. He seems, +however, to have preferred contributing to the labours of those whom he +considered better naturalists than himself; and in his third attempt +thus to render his observations useful he had somewhat better success. +He placed his materials, including a number of coloured drawings, at +the disposal of Ray, the father of systematic Natural History in Great +Britain, who has acknowledged the assistance he derived from him in his +editions of Willughby's 'Ornithology' and 'Ichthyology,' especially in +the former. But Browne, it seems, found it more easy to lend than to +recover such materials; for he complains, several years afterwards, that +these drawings, of whose safe return he was assured, both by Ray and by +their mutual friend, Sir Philip Skippon, had not been sent back to +him."[G] + + [F] Dr. Robert Plot (1640-1696) was born at Sutton Barne, Kent, in + 1640; he graduated M.A. in 1664, and D.C.L. at Oxford in 1671. He + was chiefly noted as an antiquary, and was Secretary of the Royal + Society from 1682 to 1684, also the first custodian of the + Ashmoleian Museum and Professor of Chemistry at Oxford. In 1677 he + published his "Natural History of Oxfordshire," the first local + work of the kind which appeared; it was illustrated by sixteen + plates. In 1686 he also published "The Natural History of + Staffordshire," and subsequently many other books and papers. He + was evidently acquainted with most of the learned men of his time. + Plot died at his family estate Sutton Barne, on the 30th of April, + 1696, and was buried at Borden in Kent. Dr. Plot was a friend of + Browne's, and his companion in a tour in England in 1693.--"Dict. + Nat. Biog." + + [G] See letter to his son, Dr. Edward Browne (Wilkin, i., p. 337), + also Appendix C. + +I have endeavoured to reproduce as accurately as possible the text of +the notes and letters, which, as will be seen from the example +photographed for the frontispiece of this volume, was often very +difficult to decipher. The originals of the notes and of seven of the +nine letters to Merrett, as also the two letters in Appendix A., are in +the Sloane Collection of MSS. in the British Museum Library; those +numbered vii. and viii., as well as two letters in Appendix D., which +have not hitherto been printed, are in the Bodleian Library; and the +letter to Dugdale in Appendix B. is extracted from the "Eastern +Counties Collectanea." All the MSS. in the Sloane Collection I have +transcribed myself; of those in the Bodleian Library, No. vii. is from a +photograph, the remainder were copied for me by a person recommended as +being highly reliable. I thought it best to retain all the erasures and +interlineations in order to show as much as possible what was passing in +their author's mind: in the foot-notes I have sought to acknowledge _in +situ_ the valuable help I received from numerous correspondents to whom +my best thanks are due, but I owe a special debt of gratitude to +Professor Newton, at whose instigation the work was undertaken, for his +kind assistance and for the loan of scarce books which it was necessary +to consult in the interesting investigations needful to elucidate, if +possible, some of the obscure passages in the text, a task in which if +with the best intentions should I have sometimes failed, I must ask the +reader's indulgence. + +It may be truly said of Sir Thomas Browne that a prophet hath no honour +in his own country; the writings of this remarkable man are little known +in the city of his adoption, and a recent movement to erect a monument +to his memory has hitherto met with feeble support. + + T. S. + +_Norwich, December, 1901._ + + + + +Notes and Letters + +ON THE + +Natural History of Norfolk. + + + + +NOTES[H] ON CERTAIN BIRDS FOUND IN NORFOLK. + + [H] The heading adopted by Wilkin, for which I cannot find that he + had any authority, is certainly misleading, for the brief and + fragmentary notes which follow, although of great interest, can + hardly be called "An Account of the Birds (or Fishes) found in + Norfolk," as there are many species of each inhabiting or visiting + the county which must have been well-known to Browne, but of which + we find no mention. + +[MSS. SLOAN. 1830. FOL. 5-19. AND 31.] + + [The first four pages in the volume of Manuscript consist of two + inserted letters from Merrett to Browne (see Appendix A.); these + are on ordinary letter paper 6-1/4 inches by 7 inches. The notes + commence on folio 5 and are continued to folio 19; one leaf, + containing an account of the Roller (numbered 31), is bound up + with the notes on the Fishes, &c., which are numbered + consecutively with the Birds; the paper of the volume is + foolscap, 11-1/2 by 7-1/2 inches, and written, with a few + exceptions, which appear to be subsequent additions, on the + right-hand opening only. There are four folios after the Birds, + the first of which is blank; the others, numbered 20, 21, and + 22, contain rough memoranda on the Birds and Fishes, the + substance of which is embodied in the other notes; the Fishes + commence on folio 23. There are many erasures, interlineations, + and substituted words which indicate hasty writing, and the + alterations are not in all cases complete, thus rendering the + sense occasionally obscure; these emendations I have thought it + best to preserve as indicating the author's line of thought. In + the foot-notes which follow I have endeavoured to identify the + species treated of. This, notwithstanding the kind assistance of + the friends whose help I gratefully acknowledge, I may not in + all cases have successfully accomplished; the conclusions + arrived at are occasionally only conjectural, and it may be that + in some instances I have erred. Should such be the case I must + plead in excuse the difficulty arising from vagueness of + description, the frequent use of vernacular names which have + long since become obsolete (_see Note_ 22), and the imperfection + of the record. This especially applies to the Marine Animals, + and one of my correspondents rightly remarks that "the early + accounts of marine beasts are so vague, and the figures (where + referred to) so incomplete and often fanciful, that it is + difficult even to make out the family, to say nothing of genera + and species." Any assistance or correction in this respect would + be gladly received by me.] + + +[_Fol. 5._] I willingly obey your comands[1] in setting down such birds +fishes & other animals wch for many years I have observed in Norfolk. + + [1] With regard to the probable origin of these notes (see + "Introduction," p. xxi.). The opening passage was probably + addressed to the deceased correspondent who had asked his + assistance, whereas his first letter to Merrett seems to indicate + that the offer of help to him came spontaneously from Browne ("I + take ye boldness to salute you," &c.), and was not in response to + Merrett's request. + +Beside the ordinarie birds which keep constantly in the country many are +discouerable both in winter & summer wch are of a migrant nature & +exchange their seats according to the season.[2] those wch come in the +spring coming for the most part from the southward those wch come in the +Autumn or winter from the northward. so that they are obserued to come +in great flocks with a north east wind & to depart with a south west. +nor to come [in _struck out_] only in flocks of one kind butt teals +woodcocks felfars thrushes & small birds to come & light together. for +the most part some hawkes & birds of pray attending them. + + [2] Browne seems to have had on the whole a fairly correct idea + with regard to the migratory movements of the birds on the Norfolk + coast where peculiar facilities exist for such observations, but of + course he could have formed no notion of the extent to which they + prevail, perhaps no species being altogether sedentary. The general + line of the autumn migration for those which spend their summer in + Northern Europe is south or south-west, returning in the spring by + the reverse route; those which visit us in spring from Western + Europe, or countries lying still more to the eastward, adopt what + is known as the east to west route, and reverse the direction in + the autumn; but this latter is as nothing compared with the vast + number of immigrants by both routes in the early autumn, at which + time, especially, the movements are so exceedingly complex that it + would be impossible here to attempt to explain them, and the reader + must be referred to Mr. Eagle Clarke's digest of the Reports of the + Migration Committee of the British Association ("Report Brit. Ass. + for 1876," pp. 451-477). + +The great & noble kind of Agle calld Aquila Gesneri[3] I have not seen +in this country but one I met with [with _crossed out_] in this country +brought from ireland wch I [presented unto _struck out_] kept 2 yeares, +feeding it with whelpes cattes ratts & the like. in all that while not +giving it any water wch I afterwards presented unto the [colledge of +physitians at London _struck out_] my worthy friend Dr Scarburgh. + + [3] The "Aquila" of Gesner here referred to is evidently the Golden + Eagle, which species Browne is careful to mention that he had not + met with in this county, and that the specimen he sent to Dr. + Scarburgh, more than once mentioned, was brought from Ireland. This + bird has never been recorded alive in Norfolk. Immature + White-tailed Eagles, the "Halyaetus" of the text, still occur almost + every autumn or winter on this coast, but no mature example has + hitherto been killed. Browne's friend, Sir Charles Scarburgh + (1616-1694), was born in London, and is buried at Cranford, in + Middlesex. He seems to have been greatly distinguished as an + anatomist and physician. He was a friend of William Harvey, whom he + succeeded as Lumleyan Lecturer at the College of Physicians (of + which he was elected a fellow in 1650). Harvey, out of regard for + his "lovinge friend" Dr. Scarburgh, bequeathed to him his "little + silver instruments of surgerie" and his velvet gown. ("Dict. of + Nat. Biog.") The Golden Eagle sent him by Browne was kept in the + College of Physicians in Warwick Lane for two years. + +of other sorts of Agles there are severall kinds especially of the +Halyaetus or fenne Agles some of 3 yards & a quarter from the extremitie +of the wings. whereof one being taken aliue grewe so tame that it went +about the yard feeding on fish redherrings flesh & any offells without +the least trouble. + +There is also a lesser sort of Agle called an ospray[4] wch houers about +the fennes & broads & will dippe his [foot _crossed out_] claws & take +up a fish oftimes for wch his foote is made of an extraordinarie +roughnesse for the better fastening & holding of it & the like they will +do unto cootes. + + [4] This species is a not unfrequent autumn visitor to the Broads + and Rivers of Norfolk. Browne names it correctly, but there was + much confusion with regard to this species in the minds of the old + authors. Willughby knew the bird and calls it the "Bald Buzzard," + but in describing its nesting site and eggs (probably not on his + own authority,) evidently confounds it with the Marsh Harrier, for + he says that "it builds upon the ground among reeds, and lays three + or four large white eggs of a figure exactly elliptical, lesser + than hens' eggs." _See Note_ 6. + +[_Fol._ 6.] Aldrovandus takes particular notice of the great number of +Kites[5] about London & about the Thames. wee are not without them heare +though not in such numbers. there are also the gray & bald Buzzard[6] +[wch the all wth _crossed out_] of all wch the great number of broad +waters & warrens makes no small number & more than in woodland counties. + + [5] The Glede, or Puttock, of Turner, once so plentiful, is now + only an extremely rare visitor to Norfolk. In 1815, it appears from + Hunt ("British Ornithology"), not to have been uncommon, but the + same authority in his list of Norfolk Birds contributed to Stacey's + "History" of that County, speaks of the Kite as having in 1829 + become extremely rare. It probably ceased to nest in this County + about the year 1830, or perhaps a little later. Browne's reason for + its comparative scarcity about the City of Norwich, viz., the + abundance of Ravens mentioned at p. 27 _infra_, is very interesting + to us in the present day when Kites and Ravens are almost equally + rare. + + [6] It seems likely that Browne here refers to two species of + Harrier, the Grey Buzzard being the male of the Hen Harrier + (including of course Montagu's Harrier which was not discriminated + till long after) in its grey adult plumage, whereas the Marsh + Harrier, with its light yellow head, to which the word "bald" as + then used might well be applied, would stand for the "Bald + Buzzard." The Harriers, which were till long after the time he + wrote extremely numerous, are generally called "Buzzards" by the + natives, and it will be noticed at p. 15 _infra_, that what is + doubtless intended for the Marsh Harrier is spoken of as an enemy + to the Coots; also at p. 56, it is said that young Otters "have + been found in the Buzzards nests," a very likely circumstance with + so fierce a bird, and one of which I have an impression I have + heard in recent years. The Hen Harrier is now an extremely rare + bird with us; the Marsh Harrier still occasionally nests in the + Broads, and Montagu's Harrier now and then attempts to rear a + brood, but even should the parents succeed in escaping it is very + seldom they carry their young with them. Professor Newton has + kindly favoured me with the following additional interesting note + on this bird. "The Marsh Harrier is certainly the 'Balbushardus' of + Turner (1544), which, though he says it is bigger and longer than + the ordinary _Buteo_, has a white patch on the head and is + generally of a dark brown (_fuscus_) colour, hunting the banks of + rivers, pools, and marshes, living by the capture of Ducks, and the + black birds which the English call Coots (_Coutas_). This he, + Turner, has himself very often seen, and he describes its habits + correctly; adding that it also takes Rabbits occasionally. Gesner, + 1555, quotes Turner, but refers the Bald Buzzard to the Osprey + (which he figures), and so the mistake began. Certainly Willughby's + Bald Buzzard is the Osprey, but his book was not published when + Browne wrote." + +Cranes[7] are often seen here in hard winters especially about the +champian & feildie part it seems they have been more plentifull for in a +bill of fare when the maior entertaind the duke of norfolk I meet with +Cranes in a dish. + + [7] In the present day the Crane is only a rare straggler to this + country generally at the seasons of its migration; that it was in + times past abundant in suitable localities there is ample evidence; + that it also bred in the fens of the Eastern Counties there is no + reason to doubt, but very little direct evidence is forthcoming, + therefore every fact bearing upon this point is of value. Had Sir + Thomas Browne written with the intention of publishing his + observations he would doubtless have told us much about this grand + bird, which would have been of the greatest interest to modern + ornithologists, but even the above brief remarks, as will be seen, + are worthy of note. + + With regard to the occurrence of the Crane in the fens of East + Anglia we have the following evidence; its fossil remains have been + found in the peat at Burwell, in Cambridgeshire, and in excavating + the docks at Lynn. Turner, in his "Avium Historia," Coloniae, 1544, + speaks of having seen young Cranes in this country, and as he + passed fifteen years at Cambridge, it was probably in that + neighbourhood that he met with them; then again there is the Act of + Parliament, passed in 1534 (25th Hen. VIII. c. ii.), prohibiting + the taking of their eggs (amongst those of other species) under a + penalty of twenty pence. All this is well known, but being desirous + to ascertain whether any reference to the Crane was to be found in + the records of the Corporation of Norwich, Mr. J. C. Tingey, + F.S.A., the custodian of the Muniment Room, at my request, most + kindly searched the accounts of the City Chamberlain between the + years 1531 and 1549. He there found numerous entries of sums + expended in the purchase of cranes, swans, porpoises, &c., as + presents to the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk and others, and + amongst them, on the 6th of June, 1543, a charge for a "yong pyper + crane" from Hickling, which appears conclusive evidence of the + breeding of this bird near Norwich at that time. (See "Transactions + of the N. and N. Nat. Soc.," vii., pp. 160-170.) + + In Wilkin's Edition of the Notes the statement, "I met" with Cranes + in a dish should be, "I meet with," &c., as it is in the original. + The occasion referred to was probably an entertainment given by the + Mayor of Norwich, on the Guild day in 1663, which in that year fell + on the 19th June; at this banquet Henry, Duke of Norfolk and the + Hon. Henry Howard were present, and the latter presented to the + City a silver basin and ewer of the value of L60. Can it be that + even at that time young Cranes were to be obtained? otherwise the + middle of June seems a most unseasonable time for such a dish; for + in a copy of a curious old manuscript, dated 1605, and published in + the 13th Volume of "Archaeologia" (p. 315), entitled "A Breviate + touching the Order and Government of a Nobleman's house," &c., + there is a "Monthlie Table, for a Diatorie" for each month in the + year, and the Crane appears only in the tables from November till + March inclusive. The modern gourmet would view with disgust some of + the dishes included in this "diatorie" if set before him--only to + mention among birds, auks, stares, petterells, puffines, didapers, + and martins. The crane being "in the dish" must not be subjected to + the vulgar process of "kervyng," but in the stilted heraldic + language of the day must be "desplayed," whereas a heron must be + "dismembered" and a bittern "unjointed." The price of a crane + varied from 3_s._ 4_d._ to 5_s._, and a fat swan from 3_s._ to + 4_s._ The sum of 6_d._ mentioned in the le Strange Household-book, + in the year 1533 (see "Archaeologia," vol. xxv., p. 529), quoted in + Yarrell's "British Birds," iii., p. 180, was only the reward for + bringing in a crane killed on the estate. That Cranes must at times + have been numerous in Norfolk in the sixteenth century is evident, + for in an account of the presents sent to William Moore, Esq., of + Loseley, on the occasion of the marriage of his daughter, on 3rd + November, 1567, Mr. Balam, "out of Marshland in Norfolk," sent him + nine cranes, nine swans, and sixteen bitterns, with a large number + of other wild-fowl. "Archaeologia," vol. xxxvi., p. 36. + +In hard winters elkes[8] a kind of wild swan are seen in no small +numbers. in whom & not in co[=m]on swans is remarkable that strange +recurvation of the windpipe through the sternon. & the same is also +obseruable in cranes. tis probable they come very farre for all the +northern discouerers have [ha _struck out_] obserued them in the +remotest parts & like diuers [&] other northern birds if the winter bee +mild they co[=m]only come no further southward then scotland if very +hard they go lower & seeke more southern places. wch is the cause that +sometimes wee see them not before christmas or the hardest time of +winter. + + [8] The "Elke" is an obsolete name for the Wild Swan (_Cygnus + musicus_), which occurs in the present day in the same numbers and + under precisely similar circumstances as Browne describes; but of + course this was the only species of wild swan known to him. The + remarkable recurvation of the trachea within the keel of the + sternum, which also prevails to a greater or less degree in four + out of the five or six species of Cygnus found in the Northern + Hemisphere, did not escape Browne's notice, although he was not the + first to describe it, and he rightly observes that this peculiarity + is absent in the Mute Swan (_C. olor_), but exists in a different + and even more exaggerated form in the Crane. He, however, was + mistaken as to the extreme northerly range which he assigns to this + species. So marked a feature as the absence of the "berry" on the + beak of this species did not escape Browne's observation, and he + refers to it in the eighth letter to Merrett, who in his second + letter to Browne remarks "the difference in the elk's bill by you + signified is remarkable to distinguish it from others of its kind," + indicating that this distinction was previously unknown to him. + +A white large & strong billd fowle called a Ganet[9] which seemes to +bee the greater sort of Larus. whereof I met with one kild by a +greyhound neere swaffam another in marshland while it fought & would not +bee forced to take wing another intangled in an herring net wch taken +aliue was fed with herrings for a while it may be named Larus maior +Leucophaeopterus as being white & the top of the wings browne. + + [9] As a rule the Gannet does not approach the shore, except to + breed, but follows the shoals of fish far out at sea. The + circumstance mentioned by Browne is by no means singular, and + several such instances of storm-driven Gannets being captured far + inland are recorded. The "Scotch Goose, _Anser scoticus_," + mentioned further on (p. 13 _infra_), is also in all probability + intended for the Gannet; it is the _Anser Bassanus sive Scoticus_ + of Jonston. The "Marshland" here mentioned is a tract of country + reclaimed in ancient times from the sea, lying to the west of the + town of Lynn, of some 57,000 acres in extent, and bordering upon + the estuary of the Wash. + +[_Fol. 7._] In hard winters I have also met with that large & strong +billd fowle wch clusius describeth by the name of Skua Hoyeri[10] [fr +_struck out_] sent him from the faro Island by Hoierus a physitian. one +whereof was shot at Hickling while 2 thereof were feeding upon a dead +horse. + + [10] Willughby ("Ornithology," English Ed., p. 348) gives a good + description of the Great Skua (_Stercorarius catarrhactes_) under + the name of _Catarracta_, a skin of which he says was sent him by + Dr. Walter Needham, and rightly identified it with the Skua which + Hoier sent to Clusius, but his figure is evidently drawn from a + skin of the Great Black-backed Gull. Hoier, whose name so often + occurs about this time in connection with birds from the north, was + a physician, living at Bergen in Norway. The Great Skua still + breeds in sadly reduced numbers on the Shetland and Faroee Islands, + but is rarely met with in Norfolk. + +As also that [strong _struck out_] large & strong billd fowle [Clusius +nameth _struck out_] spotted like a starling wch clusius nameth Mergus +maior farroensis[11] as frequenting the faro islands seated above +shetland. one whereof I sent unto my worthy friend Dr Scarburgh. + + [11] The bird here mentioned is doubtless the Great Northern Diver, + _Colymbus glacialis_. In another place Browne again refers to it as + _Mergus maximus Farrensis_, which Clusius ("Exotic.," p. 102) calls + _Mergus maximus Farrensis_, a name used by Willughby as a synonym + for his "Greatest Speckled Diver or Loon" (p. 341). This bird is + known to our fishermen as the Herring Loon, the Red-throated and + perhaps also the Black-throated Divers being called Sprat Loons. It + is a pity Browne's "draught" is not forthcoming. + +Here is also the pica marina[12] or seapye many sorts of Lari,[13] +seamewes & cobs. the Larus maior in great abundance [about _struck out_] +in [_written above_] herring time about yarmouth. + + [12] The Oyster Catcher, or Sea Pie, is found in greater numbers on + the north-west portion of the County of Norfolk than on the eastern + shore; it breeds occasionally about Wells, where it is universally + known as the "Dickey-bird." + + [13] Browne here refers to the family in general terms. The various + species of Gulls in their different stages of plumage were very + puzzling to the Ornithologists of the last century, and it is often + extremely difficult to say to what individual species they refer. + By _Larus major_ he would probably mean the Black-backed and + Herring Gulls which are found on the shore all the year round, most + frequently in the immature plumage, but they most abound "in + herring time." By far the commonest species at all times is + Browne's _Larus alba_ or Puet, the Black-headed Gull. Large flocks + of this species and _L. canus_ frequent Breydon and the tidal + shores, especially the young birds of the year. There are now two + large breeding-places of the Black-headed Gull in Norfolk, a very + old-established one at Scoulton Mere, and a more recent colony at + Hoveton Broad. The former extensive gullery at Horsey, mentioned by + Browne, has long since been banished by the drainage of the marsh + they frequented, and it is probable that a small colony which bred + on Ormesby Broad some forty years ago, owed its origin to their + banishment from Horsey. They, in their turn, deserted Ormesby on + the erection of the works for supplying Yarmouth with water about + the year 1855, and fixed upon Hoveton as their new home, in which + place, as at Scoulton, they are carefully preserved. + + Professor Newton has been kind enough to furnish me with the + following note on the Terns. "_Larus cinereus_ of Aldrovandus (and + afterwards of Jonston), is said to be of three kinds: one with red + legs, apparently the Black-headed Gull, and figured by Jonston, the + second with yellow legs and a slender curved black bill, the third + with a pointed scarlet bill. Both these last were most likely + Terns--and all these were grey above and white below. Gesner quotes + Turner for _Sterna_, and there is no doubt that his bird of that + name was a Black Tern; but Gesner says that it is the _Stirn_ of + the Frisians, and figures a white and grey bird with a black head + only (most likely a Common Tern, but possibly one of the larger + species), as Sterna, thus using the word in a more general sense, + and it may have been so used in Browne's time. I see no + impossibility in people having thought of eating Terns in those + days [as to that _see Note_ 7, p. 6 _ante_]. The Common Tern was + most likely very abundant, and we know that the Black Tern was + exceedingly common in certain reed-beds, as stated by Turner, and + noisy beyond measure." The Great and Lesser Terns still nest in one + or two localities on our coast, although as the result of great + persecution in very reduced numbers. The Black Tern, or Mire Crow, + has quite ceased to do so. + +Larus alba or puets in such plentie about Horsey that they sometimes +bring them in carts to norwich & sell them at small rates. & the country +people make use of their egges in puddings & otherwise. great plentie +thereof haue bred about scoulton [mere _struck out_] meere, & from +thence sent to London. + +Larus cinereus greater & smaller, butt a coars meat. commonly called +sternes. + +Hirundo marina or sea swallowe a neat white & forked tayle bird butt +longer then a swallowe. + +The ciconia or stork[14] I have seen in the fennes & some haue been shot +in the marshes between this and yarmouth. [See also third letter to +Merrett and Appendix D.] + + [14] Although it has been met with in Norfolk, more frequently than + perhaps in any other part of England, the Stork was never other + than a rare spring and autumn visitor to Norfolk. Turner writes of + it in 1544 as unknown in England, save as a captive, and Merrett a + hundred years later says it rarely flies hither, which is equally + true at the present time. Hewittson ("Eggs of Brit. Birds," Ed. 3, + ii., p. 309; under Crane) was evidently misled by some remarks made + by Evelyn, who visited Sir Thomas Browne in Norwich in October, + 1671, and says in his diary that he saw Browne's "Collection of the + eggs of all the fowl and birds he could procure; that country, + especially the promontory of Norfolk, being frequented, as he said, + by several birds which seldom or never go further into the land--as + cranes, storks, eagles, and a variety of water-fowl." From this + Hewitson infers that the Stork bred in Norfolk, a construction + which the somewhat ambiguously worded passage will certainly not + bear. I imagine collections of eggs were not very common in + Browne's time. + +[_Fol. 8._] The platea or shouelard,[15] wch build upon the topps of +high trees. they haue formerly built in the Hernerie at claxton & +Reedham now at Trimley in Suffolk. they come in march & are shot by +fowlers not for their meat butt the handsomenesse of the same, +remarkable in their white colour copped crowne & spoone or spatule like +bill. + + [15] This interesting record has recently been supplemented by a + much earlier record of the breeding of the "Popeler," or Shovelard, + in Norfolk. Professor Newton ("Transactions of N. and N. Nat. + Soc.," vi., p. 158) has called attention to an ancient document + bearing date A.D. 1300, instituting a commission to inquire into + the harrying of the eyries of these and other birds, &c., at + Cantley and other places in Norfolk. Documents also exist, showing + that in 1523 they nested at Fulham in Middlesex, and in 1570 in + West Sussex, as pointed out by Mr. Harting in the "Zoologist" for + 1877, p. 425, and 1886, p. 81, in each case constructing their + nests in trees. At what precise date this bird ceased to breed in + Norfolk and Suffolk is unknown, but Sir T. Browne's statement that + they were "shot by fowlers not for their meat, butt the + handsomenesse of the same," probably explains the circumstances + which brought about that event. The Spoonbill visits Norfolk + regularly every spring in small parties now more numerously than a + few years since, which possibly may be accounted for by the + destruction of nearly all its breeding-places in Holland, and it is + possible that with due encouragement it might again be induced to + breed in some of the localities in the Broads still suitable for + the purpose. + +corvus marinus. cormorants.[16] building at Reedham upon trees from +whence King charles the first was wont to bee supplyed. beside the Rock +cormorant wch breedeth in the rocks in northerne countries & cometh to +us in the winter, somewhat differing from the other in largenesse & +whitenesse under the wings. + + [16] The Cormorant continued to nest in the trees on the shore of + Fritton Lake for many years after Sir T. Browne's time. A + manuscript note in a copy of Berkenhout's "Natural History of Great + Britain and Ireland," published in 1769, is descriptive of a + Cormorant killed at Belton Decoy (near the same lake) on the 11th + September, 1775, and also states that "a vast number of these + birds, even to some thousands, roost every night upon the trees," + being in the neighbourhood of the decoy they are never shot, and + "build their nests upon the top of these trees." According to Mr. + Lubbock ("Fauna of Norf.," Ed. 2, p. 174), "in 1825 there were many + nests at Herringfleet, also on Fritton Lake, and in 1827 not one." + We may therefore assume that they ceased to nest at Herringfleet in + 1825 or 1826. It will be noticed that Browne made free use of young + Cormorants in his experiments as to the properties of certain drugs + (cf. Wilkin, iv., p. 452), which would seem to indicate that he + could obtain a plentiful supply of these birds. When the Cormorants + ceased to breed at Reedham is unknown. They are not unfrequently + seen now, generally in spring and autumn. The Rock Cormorant was + possibly the Crested Cormorant or Shag. + +A sea fowl called a shearwater,[17] somewhat billed like a cormorant +butt much lesser a strong & feirce fowle houering about shipps when they +[clense _struck out_] cleanse their fish. 2 were kept 6 weekes +cra[=m]ing them with fish wch they would not feed on of themselues. the +seamen told mee they had kept them 3 weekes without meat. & I giuing +ouer to feed them found they liued 16 dayes without [any hin _struck +out_] taking any thing. + + [17] Willughby's first acquaintance with the adult Manx Shearwater + ("Ornithology," p. 334) was from a drawing sent him by Sir T. + Browne, who describes the bird, as above, under the accepted name + of Shearwater, and Willughby's excellent figure on plate lxvii. + (which plate I believe is not to be found in some copies of the + "Ornithology," and to which there is no reference in the text) has + all the appearance of having been drawn from life. The drawing here + referred to is mentioned by Ray in his "Collection of English words + not generally known," as having been received, with others, from + the "learned and deservedly famous Sir Thomas Browne, of Norwich." + George Edwards ("Gleanings of Nat. Hist.," vii., p. 315), prior to + 1764. says that he went to the British Museum and examined Browne's + "old draught," but I could not find it among any of the papers I + examined. In Browne's fourth letter to Merrett, by an error in the + transcription, he is made by Wilkin to say that he kept twenty of + these birds alive for five weeks; in the MS. it is clearly only + two. + +Barnacles[18] Brants Branta [wer _struck out_] are co[=m]on + + [18] Barnacle and Brent Geese as we know them, the first by no + means common here; the Wild Goose, probably _Anser cinereus_; the + Scotch Goose (_see Note_ 9), probably the Gannet; and the + Bergander, an old name for the Sheld-drake, as used by Turner in + 1544, and derived from the Dutch Berg-eende, German Bergente + ("Dict. Birds," p. 835). Browne's statement that this bird formerly + bred about Northwold, or as it is even now occasionally called by + the natives, "Norrold," some twenty miles from the sea; or, as he + says, in the fourth letter to Merrett, "abounding in vast and + spatious commons," is very interesting, although not a solitary + instance, for I am informed that this bird breeds in the present + day on the Gull Lake, Twig Moor, in Lincolnshire; but that it + should have chosen such a nesting site is not more surprising than + the fact of the Ring Plover, quite as strictly a marine species, + frequenting the extensive sandy warrens about Thetford and Brandon, + near the south-west border of the county, for the same purpose, as + they still continue to do. But for Browne's mention of the + circumstance we should not have been aware of this singular + departure from the normal nesting habits of the Sheld-duck, as no + tradition I believe exists on the subject, and at present it only + nests in the sand-hills in some parts of the coast of N.W. + Norfolk. + +sheldrakes sheledracus jonstoni + +Barganders a noble coloured fowle vulpanser wch breed in cunny burrowes +about norrold & other places. + +[_Fol. 9._] Wild geese Anser ferus. + +scoch goose Anser scoticus. + +Goshander,[19] merganser. + + [19] This evidently refers to the Goosander, which as he says in + another place most answers to the Merganser. + +Mergus acutirostris speciosus or Loone an handsome & specious fowle +cristated & with diuided finne feet placed very backward and after the +manner of all such wch the Duch call [Assf _struck out_] Arsvoote.[20] +they haue a peculiar formation in the leggebone wch hath a long & sharpe +processe extending aboue the thigh bone [it _struck out_] they come +about April & breed in the broad waters so making their nest on the +water that their egges are seldom drye while they are sett on. + + [20] This well describes the Great-crested Grebe, which Browne + rightly says comes to us about the month of April. Browne notices + the peculiar formation of the tibia in this family of birds, but it + had long been known. The next, named _Mergus acutirostris + cinereus_, is most likely the same species in winter plumage. The + other birds mentioned are Mergus minor, the Little Grebe or + Dabchick, and _M. serratus_, the Red-breasted Merganser, even now + known as the "Saw-bill." + +Mergus acutarostris cinereus [another d _struck out_] wch seemeth to bee +a difference of the former. + +Mergus minor the smaller diuers or dabchicks in riuers & broade waters. + +Mergus serratus the saw billd diuer bigger & longer than a duck +distinguished from other diuers by a notable sawe bill to retaine its +slipperie pray as liuing much upon eeles whereof we haue seldome fayled +to find some in their bellies. + +Diuers other sorts of diuefowle more remarkable the mustela fusca & +mustela variegata[21] the graye dunne & the variegated or partie +coloured wesell so called from the resemblance it beareth vnto a wesell +in the head. + + [21] The Smew, male and female, or either in the immature plumage + are here referred to. + +[_Fol. 12._[I]] many sorts of wild ducks[22] wch passe under names well +knowne unto the fowlers though of no great signification as smee [wige +_struck out_] widgeon Arts ankers noblets. + + [I] Fols. 10 and 11 are (10 written on both sides) on the + "Ostridge," _vide_ Wilkin, Vol. 4, p. 337-9. The paper is a + different size, 11-1/2 by 7-1/2, and the article is evidently bound + out of place. + + [22] The local names of the various Ducks are simply legion and + differ both in time and place, not to mention the confusion + occasioned by sex and season when these birds were not so well + understood as at present. Many such names are quite lost, as + "Ankers" and "Noblets," but the following are a few examples: Adult + Smew, White Nun; female or immature Smew, Wesel Coot; the Wigeon + was known as the Smee, Whewer, or Whim; the Tufted Duck, Arts or + Arps; the Gadwall, Grey Duck or Rodge; the Pochard, Dunbird; the + Shoveller, Beck or Kertlutock (Hunt); Pintail, Sea Pheasant or + Cracker; Long-tailed Duck, Mealy Bird; Golden Eye, Morillon or + Rattle-wing; Scaup, Grey-back, and on Breydon White-nosed Day Fowl; + Scoter, Whilk; Velvet Scoter, Double Scoter (Hunt); Teal, Crick; + Garganey, Summer Teal, Pied Wigeon, Cricket Teal; other names might + be mentioned, and some will be found in the notes which will + follow. _Anas platyrhincus_ here mentioned is the Shoveller. It may + seem strange that the abundance of Teal should in any way be + attributed to the number of Decoys, but such was really the case, + the quiet and shelter afforded by these extensive preserves being + very favourable to the increase of all the members of the Duck + family, especially to those breeding in their immediate + neighbourhood. In the returns of the old Decoys, Teal figured + largely; in the present day they form a very much smaller + proportion of the spoils. + +the most remarkable are Anas platyrinchos [_sic_] a remarkably broad +bild duck. + +And the sea phaysant holding some resemblance unto that bird [in the +tayle _crossed out_] in some fethers in the tayle. + +Teale Querquedula. wherein scarce any place more abounding. the +condition of the country & the very many decoys [mo _struck out_] +especially between Norwich and the sea making this place very much to +abound in wild fowle. + +fulicae cottae cootes[23] in very great flocks upon the broad waters. upon +the appearance of a Kite or buzzard I have seen them vnite from all +parts of the shoare in strange numbers when if the Kite stoopes neare +them they will fling up [and] spred such a flash of water up with there +wings that they will endanger the Kite. & so [es _struck out_] keepe him +of [in of _struck out_] agayne & agayne in open opposition. & an +handsome prouision they make about their nest agaynst the same bird of +praye by bending & twining the rushes & reeds so about them that they +cannot stoope at their yong ones or the damme while she setteth. + + [23] In the present day the Coots have nothing to fear from Kites + and little from Moor Buzzards; it may be that it is in consequence + of this that they have discontinued the practice of twining the + rushes and reeds above their nests in the manner mentioned above as + being an unnecessary precaution. I have, however, in some cases + noticed some approach to this practice. The Coot, although fairly + numerous on the Broads, appears to be far less so than formerly. + Lubbock, in his "Fauna of Norfolk," says on asking a Broadman how + many Coots there were on Hickling Broad, his reply was, "About an + acre and a half," referring to their practice of swimming evenly at + regular distances from each other without huddling together in + dense masses, like wild-fowl. + + I am indebted to Professor Newton for the following additional note + on the Coot. He says "Turner, and after him Gesner, was puzzled as + to what was the _Fulica_ of classical writers (Virgil and others), + and thought it to be some kind of Gull; but the _Fulica_ of later + authors was certainly the Coot, as shown by Gesner's figure." + +Gallinula aquatica[24] more hens. + + [24] Moor-hens are of course numerous in all suitable localities, + and the Water Rail is still fairly common, but its eggs have a + market value and are (or were) sadly stolen; a few years ago a + London dealer is said to have received over 200 eggs of this bird + in one season from Yarmouth. + +And a kind of Ralla aquatica or water Rayle. + +[_Fol. 13._] An onocrotalus or pelican[25] shott upon Horsey fenne 1663 +May 22 wch stuffed and cleansed I yet retaine it was 3 yards & half +between the extremities of the wings the chowle & beake answering the +vsuall discription the extremities of the wings for a spanne deepe +browne the rest of the body white. a fowle [not found _struck out_] wch +none could remember upon this coast. about the same time I heard one of +the kings pellicans was lost at St James', perhaps this might bee the +same. + + [25] There is every reason to believe that a species of Pelican, + probably from its size _P. crispus_, was formerly an inhabitant of + the East Anglian Fens; its bones have been found in the peat on + three occasions, one of these being the bone of a bird so young as + to show that it must have been bred in the locality, and therefore + that the species was a true native and not a casual visitant. Bones + of a species of Pelican have also been found in the remains of + lake-dwellings at Glastonbury, in Somersetshire. + + With regard to the species of the bird recorded by Browne and its + origin, he is careful to point out that a Pelican had about that + time escaped from the King's collection in St. James' Park, and to + surmise that it might be the same bird; from what follows this + seems probable, but as _P. onocrotalus_ is believed to stray + occasionally into the northern parts of Germany and France ("Dict. + of Birds," p. 702) the occurrence of that species on the East Coast + of Britain, where, even at present, it would find a state of things + in every way suited to its requirements (guns excepted), would not + be very extraordinary. Browne's Pelican was killed in May, 1663, + and although Dr. Edward Browne visited St. James' Park in February, + 1664, and saw "many strange creatures," including the Stork with + the wooden leg (mentioned by Evelyn), he says nothing of the + Pelicans, still it may be that it was from him that his father + heard of the escape. Evelyn, in his Diary, mentioned that he + visited St. James' Park on February 9th, 1665, and speaks of only + one Pelican, which he states was brought from Astrakan by the + Russian Ambassador as a present to the King; Willughby says + distinctly that the Emperor of Russia sent the King two Pelicans, + and further, that he took the description in his "Ornithology" from + a bird in the Royal Aviary, St. James' Park, near Westminster; it + seems therefore highly probable that Browne's bird was one of these + which had escaped from confinement. But a rather curious + circumstance arises out of this, the bird described by Willughby + does not appear to be _P. onocrotalus_, but a similar species, _P. + roseus_, found chiefly in Indio-China and westward to South-eastern + Europe, but occurring as far west as the River Volga ("Cat. of + Birds," B. M., xxvi., p. 466). In this Mr. Ogilvie Grant, the + author of that section of the Catalogue, whom I consulted, agrees + with me, and the locality whence the birds were derived, mentioned + by Willughby, renders not unlikely. Onocrotalus in Browne's time + was a general term for "the Pelican," and he probably knew but one + species and one individual, the escaped bird from Charles II.'s + Aviary. Browne's very miscellaneous collection was destroyed by the + authorities at the time of the plague (see ninth letter to + Merrett), and probably the remains of this Pelican perished with + the rest. + +Anas Arctica clusii wch though hee placeth about the faro Islands is the +same wee call a puffin co[=m]on about Anglisea in wales & sometimes [for +_struck out_] taken upon our seas not sufficiently described by the name +of puffinus the bill being so remarkably differing from other ducks & +not horizontally butt meridionally formed to feed in the clefts of the +rocks of insecks, shell-fish & others. + +The great number of riuers riuulets & plashes of water makes hernes [to +abound in these _struck out_] & herneries to abound in these parts. yong +hensies being esteemed a festiuall dish & much desired by some palates. + +The Ardea stellaris botaurus, or bitour[26] is also co[=m]on & esteemed +the better dish. in the belly of one I found a frog in an hard frost at +christmas. another I kept in a garden 2 yeares feeding it with fish mice +& frogges. in defect whereof making a scrape for sparrowes & small +birds, the bitour made shifft to maintaine herself upon them. + + [26] This is one of the birds once common enough in Norfolk, which + in the present day is only a winter and spring migrant. The last + eggs of the Bittern were taken in this county on 30th of March, + 1868; the last "boom" of a resident was heard in May, 1886, in the + August of which year a young female was killed at Reedham with down + still adhering to its feathers; this was probably the last + Norfolk-bred Bittern. In the "Vulgar Errors," book 3, chapter + xxvii., section 4, is a discourse on the "mugient noise" of the + Bittern and the mode of its production, and in a foot-note in the + same place is a curious anecdote illustrating the difficulty of + detecting a wounded Bittern, even when marked down in short, + recently mown grass and flags. The spring cry of the Bittern is + mentioned by Robert Marsham in his unpublished journal nineteen + times, between the years 1739 and 1775, as first heard at Stratton + Strawless, generally between the 15th of March and the 15th of + April; and it was on the 14th of the latter month that Benjamin + Stillingfleet records it in the "Calendar of Flora" as heard in the + same locality in 1755. He does not describe the note, but uses the + words "makes a noise." Marsham, however, on one occasion, in 1750, + a very early year, records it on the 20th of February. As a once + familiar sound, but one which will probably never again be heard + here under purely normal conditions, these dates seem worthy of + recording. + +[_Fol. 14._] Bistardae or Bustards[27] are not vnfrequent in the champain +& feildie part of this country a large Bird accounted a dayntie dish, +obseruable in the strength of the brest bone & short heele layes an +egge much larger then a Turkey. + + [27] The last of the Norfolk and therefore certainly the last of + the British-bred Bustards, was killed in May, 1838; those which + have since occurred in this country were Continental immigrants. An + exhaustive history of the extinction of this bird will be found in + Stevenson's "Birds of Norfolk," vols. 2 and 3. The Bustard, + although found in some numbers, associated in small flocks or + "droves" in the few localities which it frequented in Great + Britain, was probably never a very numerous species. The following + extract from one of Browne's letters to his son Edward, dated April + 30th, and written probably in 1681, shows that he was on the verge + of discovering an anatomical peculiarity in this family of birds, + which in after years gave rise to much controversy. He says, + "yesterday I had a cock Bustard sent me from beyond Thetford. I + never did see such a vast thick neck: the crop was pulled out, butt + as [a] turkey hath an odde large substance without, so hath this + within the inside of the skinne, and the strongest and largest + neckbone of any bird in England. This I tell you, that if you meet + with one you may further observe it." The presence of a gular pouch + in the Bustard was first demonstrated by James Douglas, a Scotch + Physician, in 1740, and it appears to be fully developed only in + the adult male bird, and at the breeding season. Hence, although it + has undoubtedly been found on several occasions, the frequent + unsuccessful searches for it under unfavourable conditions led to + much scepticism as to its existence. The use of this singular + appendage is still a moot point, but it seems probable that it has + to do with "voice production," and assists in the remarkable + "showing off" exhibited by the male bird in the breeding season. + Pennant, in his "British Zoology," 1768, i., p. 215, gives a + sentimental account of its use, and an exaggerated estimate of its + proportions. In the Tables of Dietary referred to at p. 6 (note) + _ante_, the Bustard is mentioned as in season from October to May. + +Morinellus or Dotterell[28] about Thetford & the champain wch comes vnto +us in september & march staying not long. & is an excellent dish. + + [28] The Dotterel visits us much as in Sir T. Browne's time, but in + decreased numbers. The Sea Dotterel which Wilkin supposes to be the + Ring Plover, is undoubtedly the Turnstone. Willughby says, "Our + honoured Friend, Sir Thomas Browne, of Norwich, sent us the picture + of this bird by the title of the Sea Dotterel." This is also + mentioned in the fifth letter to Merrett. See "Birds of Norfolk," + ii., p. 82, for an interesting account of Dotterel hawking near + Thetford by James I. in the year 1610. + +There is also a sea dotterell somewhat lesse butt better coloured then +the former. + +Godwyts taken chiefly in marshland, though other parts not without them +accounted the dayntiest dish in England & I think for the bignesse, of +the biggest price. + +Gnatts or Knots [only so far on p. 14, but as follows on fol. 13 +_verso_]. + +Gnats or Knots a small bird which taken with netts grow excessively +fatt. If [by mew _struck out_] being mewed & fed with corne a candle +lighted in the roome they feed day & night, & when they are at their +hight of fattnesse they beginne to grow lame & are then killed or [else +they will fall aw _struck out_] as at their prime & apt to decline. + +[resume p. 14.] Erythropus or Redshanck a bird co[=m]on in the marshes & +of co[=m]on food butt no dayntie dish. + +A may chitt[29] a small dark gray bird litle bigger then a stint of +fatnesse beyond any. it comes in may into marshland & other parts & +abides not aboue a moneth or 6 weekes. + + [29] Mr. Stevenson, "Birds of Norfolk," ii., p. 233, gives his + reasons for coming to the conclusion that the Sanderling (_Calidris + arenaria_) is here referred to, which the absence of a hind toe + (see third letter to Merrett) tends to confirm. The "_Churre_" is + only a variant of the name "_Purre_," by which the next species, + the Stint, is commonly known, and the _Green Plover_, now applied + to the Lapwing, is an old name for the _Golden Plover_, which he + rightly says [p. 20] does not breed in Norfolk. + +[fol. 13 _verso_.] Another small bird somewhat larger than a stint +called a churre & is co[=m]only taken amongst them. + +[resume fol. 14.] Stints in great numbers about the seashore & marshes +about stifkey Burnham & other parts. + +Pluuialis or plouer green & graye in great plentie about Thetford & many +other heaths. they breed not with us butt in some parts of scotland, and +plentifully in Island [Iceland]. + +[_Fol. 15._] The lapwing or vannellus co[=m]on ouer all the heaths. + +Cuccowes[30] of 2 sorts the one farre exceeding the other in bignesse. +some have attempted to keepe them in warme roomes all the winter butt it +hath not succeeded. in their migration they range very farre northward +for in the summer they are to bee found as high as Island. + + [30] The circumstance which gave rise to the idea that there were + two kinds of Cuckoos, differing only in size, might possibly be + discovered were it worth the research; possibly it would be found + that the second species was of foreign origin. Aldrovandus, as + quoted by Willughby, says, "Our Bolognese Fowlers do unanimously + affirm, that there are found a greater and a lesser sort of + Cuckows; and besides, that the greater are of two kinds, which are + distinguished one from the other by the only difference of colour: + but the lesser differ from the greater in nothing else but + magnitude." Perhaps it was Browne's latent respect for antiquity + which led him to mention the tradition. + + Avis pugnax. Ruffes[31] a marsh bird of the greatest varietie of + colours euery one therein somewhat varying from other. The female + is called a Reeve without any ruffe about the neck, lesser then the + other & hardly to bee got. They are almost all cocks & putt + together fight & destroy each other. & prepare themselues to fight + like cocks though they seeme to haue no other offensive part butt + the bill. they loose theire Ruffes about the Autumne or beginning + of winter as wee haue obserued [they _struck out_] keeping them in + a garden from may till the next spring. they most abound in + Marshland butt are also in good number in the marshes between + norwich & yarmouth. + + [31] It is only necessary to add to Browne's interesting account of + this remarkable bird that it lingered longer in Norfolk as a + breeding species than in any other part of Britain, but that + although it still visits us in spring it is doubtful whether it has + bred for the last few years in the one favourite locality to which + it clung so tenaciously. The "Marshland," here referred to as + explained in a previous note, is a tract of country situated in + north-west Norfolk, near King's Lynn. + +Of picus martius[32] or woodspeck many kinds. The green the Red the +Leucomelanus or neatly marked [red _crossed out_] black & white & the +cinereus or dunne calld [a re _struck out_] little [bird calld _written +above_] a nuthack. remarkable in the larger are the hardnesse of the +bill & skull & the long nerues wch tend vnto the tongue whereby it +strecheth out the tongue aboue an inch out of the mouth & so [lik +_crossed out_] licks up insecks. they make the holes in trees without +any consideration of the winds or quarters of heauen butt as the +rottenesse thereof best affordeth conuenience. + + [32] _Picus martius_ is here used, as it is by Sibbald, and all + preceding writers, in a general sense for all birds commonly called + "Woodpeckers," and does not imply that the Great Black Woodpecker + (_Picus niger maximus_, of Ray's Synopsis), to which species the + name was restricted by Linnaeus, is found here, and Browne goes on + to mention the three British Woodpeckers, the Green, the Red, by + which the Great Spotted Woodpecker is intended, and the + Leucomelanus, or Lesser-spotted Woodpecker. He also includes the + Nuthatch, which was at that time (as well as the Wryneck) called a + "Woodpecker." In this passage Browne, in making a correction, does + not seem to have proceeded far enough, the word which Wilkin has + rendered "dun-coloured," is certainly "dunne calld" in the MS.; but + there are two alterations in the passage, and there is little doubt + that he intended to write "dunne cull'd" (or coloured), which would + make it read as Wilkin has printed it. The use of the word "nerve," + for tendon or ligament, was in accordance with the phraseology of + the time. + +[fol. 15 _verso_.] black heron[33] black on both sides the bottom of the +neck neck [_sic_] white gray on the outside spotted all along with black +on the inside a black coppe of small feathers some a spanne long. bill +poynted and yallowe 3 inches long + + [33] This passage is not part of the original MS., but is written + on a separate slip of paper and pasted on the left-hand side of the + opening (p. 15 _verso_). I doubt whether it is more than a casual + memorandum, descriptive possibly of the plumage of the Purple + Heron, but not intended to apply to any Norfolk bird. The Black + Heron of Willughby is the Glossy Ibis, a bird which is said to have + been known to the West Norfolk gunners as the "Black Curlew." + +back heron coloured intermixed with long white fethers + +the flying (?) fethers black + +the brest black & white most black + +the legges & feet not green but an ordinarie dark cork [?] colour. + +[_Fol. 16._] The number of riuulets becks & streames whose banks are +beset with willowes & Alders wch giue occasion of easier fishing & +slooping to the water makes that [bir _crossed out_] handsome coulered +bird abound wch is calld Alcedo Ispida or the King fisher. they bild in +holes about grauell pitts [have their nests very full _crossed out_] +wherein [are _crossed out_] is [_above_] to bee found great quantitie of +small fish bones. & lay [a _crossed out_] very handsome round & as it +were polished egges. + +An Hobby bird[34] so calld becaus it comes in ether with or a litle +before the Hobbies in the spring. of the bignesse of a Thrush coloured +& paned[J] like an hawke marueliously subiet to the vertigo & and are +sometimes taken in those fitts. + + [34] This is evidently the Wryneck, which we now call the "Cuckoo's + Mate," probably for the same reason that Browne associates it with + the Hobby. It may be that the Hobby having become comparatively + scarce, it was necessary to find another travelling companion for + this bird, and that the Cuckoo was chosen as the most suitable. Old + Norfolk names are Emmet-eater, and in one old book it is called + Turkey-bird in a MS. note. + + [J] That is marked with a barred or checkered pattern. + +Upupa or Hoopebird[35] so named from its note a gallant marked bird wch +I have often seen & tis not hard to shoote them. + + [35] The Hoopoe would seem from this note to have been of more + frequent occurrence than in the present day, see also in his answer + to "Certain Queries" (Tract iv., Wilkin iv., p. 183), in which he + says of this bird, "though it be not seen every day, yet we often + meet with it in this country." + +Ringlestones[36] a small [bird _crossed out_] white & black bird like a +wagtayle & seemes to bee some kind of motacilla marina co[=m]on about +yarmouth sands. they lay their egges in the sand & shingle about june +and as the eryngo diggers tell mee not sett them flat butt upright likes +[_sic_] egges in [a _crossed out_] salt. + + [36] The Ring Plover is evidently the bird here referred to, but I + have never known the name of Ringlestone applied to this species in + Norfolk, nor have I met with it elsewhere. The Eryngo is now no + longer an article of commerce, and its diggers are extinct, but not + their tradition as to the position in which the eggs of this bird + are said to be placed--a "vulgar error" which does not accord with + the writer's experience. When the full complement of four eggs is + laid, they are arranged with their pointed ends towards the centre + of the nest, which is a slight hollow in the soil. The concavity of + the nest therefore, as well as the disproportionate size of the + larger end, gives the eggs somewhat the appearance of being placed + in the position referred to, but the small end of the egg is always + visible, Sir Thomas Browne does not seem to have been aware of the + remarkable fact of this essentially marine bird habitually nesting + on the sandy warrens about Thetford in the south-west of Norfolk, + far from the sea, which it still does, though in reduced numbers, + and is there known as the Stone-hatch, from its habit of paving its + nest with small stones. + +The Arcuata or curlewe frequent about the sea coast. + +[_Fol. 17._] There is also an handsome tall bird Remarkably eyed and +with a bill not aboue 2 inches long co[=m]only calld a stone +curlewe[37] butt the note thereof more resembleth that of a green plouer +[it _crossed out_] & breeds about Thetford about the stones & shingle of +the Riuers. + + [37] This characteristic Norfolk bird is still far from rare in the + locality named by Browne, and is found in several other parts of + the county. Willughby says, "The learned and famous Sir Thomas + Brown, Physician in Norwich," informed him to the same effect, and + repeats that its note (one of the most charming sounds uttered on + the wild trackless heath on a summer's night) resembles that of the + Green (_i.e._, Golden) Plover, but in the ear of the writer it is + even more musical. In the third letter to Merrett, Browne says that + he has kept the Stone Curlew (not "four Curlews," as Wilkin has + it,) in large cages. + +Auoseta[38] calld [I thinck a Barker _crossed out_] shoohingg-horne +[_written above_] a tall black & white bird with a bill semicircularly +reclining or bowed upward so that it is not easie to conceiue how it can +feed answerable vnto the Auoseta Italorum in Aldrovandus a summer marsh +bird & not unfrequent in Marshland. + + [38] The Avoset is another bird which formerly frequented the + marshy districts of Norfolk at the breeding time, but which has now + been lost to us except as a very rare passing migrant in the + spring. It probably ceased to breed in this county in or about the + year 1818, and is said to have been exterminated in consequence of + the demand for its feathers for the purpose of dressing artificial + flies. It was called "Shoeing-horn," from the peculiar form of its + beak, which, however, rather resembles the bent awl used by + shoemakers. Girdlestone, who knew the bird well in its breeding + haunts at Salthouse and Horsey, called it "Shoe-awl," a much more + appropriate name. In his third letter to Merrett, Browne again + mentions this bird, and applies to it the name of "Barker" (which + he had crossed out in the above note), remarking that it was so + called from its barking note. Jonston figures this bird twice; once + in Tab. 48 under the name of _Avosetta Italor._, _i.e._, the + Avosetta of the Italians, and again in Tab. 54 under the second + name _Avoselta species_, an obvious error. + +[A bird calld Barker from the note it hath _crossed out_] + +A yarwhelp[39] so thought to bee named from its note a gray bird +intermingled with some yellowish [whitish _written above_] fethers [the +bill _crossed out_] somewhat long legged & the bill about an inch & +half. esteemed a dayntie dish. + + [39] This paragraph is written on the back of fol. 16. The Yarwhelp + is the name by which the Black-tailed Godwit, a species which + formerly nested in abundance in the marshes about Horsey and some + adjacent localities in the Broads, was known. It virtually ceased + to nest here sometime between the years 1829 and 1835, but perhaps + an instance or two may have occurred rather later. It was also + known as the "Shrieker." Browne again refers to this bird in the + fourth letter to Merrett, where he calls it "barker" (a name which + he had no doubt erroneously previously applied to the Avoset), or + "Latrator, a marshbird, about the bigness of a Godwitt," and once + again under the name of "Yare-whelp, or barker," in his fifth + letter; it may be that the name "barker" was applied + indiscriminately to either species. As Lubbock names this bird as + one of the "five species in particular" which "used formerly to + swarm in our marshes" ("Fauna of Norfolk"), one would have thought + Browne would have been better acquainted with it than seems to have + been the case from the hesitating way in which he uses the + vernacular name. + +Loxias or curuirostra a bird a litle bigger than a Thrush of fine +colours & prittie note [the m _crossed out_] differently from other +birds, the [lower _crossed out_] upper & lower bill crossing each other. +of a very tame nature, comes about the beginning of summer. I have known +them kept in cages butt not to outliue the winter. + +A kind of coccothraustes calld a [cobble _crossed out_] coble bird[40] +bigger than a Thrush, finely coloured & shaped like a Bunting [it comes +_crossed out_] it is [sometimes _crossed out_] chiefly [_written above_] +seen [about _crossed out_] in su[=m]er about cherrie time. + + [40] The Hawfinch was evidently not a very well-known bird in + Browne's time, either to himself or Willughby; the latter says, "it + is said to build in holes of trees." It has steadily increased in + frequency as a breeding species with us for the last twenty years. + +[fol. 16 _verso._] A small bird of prey[41] [_something smeared out +here_] calld a birdcatcher about the bignesse of a Thrush and linnet +coloured with a longish white bill & sharpe of a very feirce & wild +nature though kept in a cage & fed with flesh. [_Added after in same +hand but fresher ink_] a kind of Lanius [Lanius _crossed out and written +more distinctly under_]. + + [41] This paragraph is written on the back of fol. 16. The + Red-backed Shrike, _Lanius collurio_, is the only species of Lanius + mentioned by Browne; it is singular that he omits all mention of + another bird, and that an essentially Norfolk species which would + have been new to the _Pinax_--the Bearded Titmouse, afterwards + known to Edwards as the Least Butcher Bird. Browne certainly sent a + drawing of this bird to Ray, who in his "Collection of English + words not generally used" (1674), as pointed out by Mr. Gurney, + mentions it as a "little Bird of a tawny colour on the back, and a + blew head, yellow bill, black legs, shot in an Osiar yard, called + by Sr. Tho. for distinction sake silerella," the drawing of which + he acknowledges he had received. Pennant, 1768 ("Brit. Zool.," i., + p. 165), follows Edwards ("Nat. Hist. of Birds," &c., 1745), who + classes it with the Laniidae, and it was not till long after, and as + the result of much discussion, that it was finally established as + the only representative of a new genus under the name of _Panurus + biarmicus_. The local name is Reed Pheasant, but Browne's name of + Silerella seems an exceedingly appropriate one. + +[p. 17 resumed.] A Dorhawke[42] or kind of Accipiter muscarius conceiued +to haue its name from feeding upon flies & beetles. of a woodcock colour +but paned like an Hawke a very litle poynted bill. large throat. +breedeth with us & layes a maruellous handsome spotted egge. Though I +haue opened many I could neuer find anything considerable in their +mawes. caprimulgus. + + [42] Browne seems to have been much interested in this remarkable + bird, and mentions it again in his second and third letters to + Merrett, especially in the latter; he calls it Caprimulgus, but + conceives it to be a kind of Accipiter, _muscarius_, or + _cantharophagus_, "in brief" [?] "_avis rostratula gutturosa_, + _quasi coxans_, _scarabaeis vescens_, _sub vesperam volans_, _ovum + speciassisimum excludens_," a fair specimen of the descriptive + method of the time. Although he used the name Caprimulgus, it will + be observed that he does not mention the "vulgar error" which led + to its being so called. Merrett includes this species in the + _Pinax_ under the name of "Caprimulgus, or the Goat-sucker," but in + a letter to Browne tells him he knows no Hawk called a Dorhawk. + +[_Fol. 18._] Auis Trogloditica[43] or Chock a small bird mixed of black +& white & breeding in cony borrouges whereof the warrens are full from +April to September. at which time they leaue the country. they are taken +with an Hobby and a net and are a very good dish. + + [43] The Wheatear is here referred to; the name _trogloditica_ + would seem to be more appropriate in this country, having reference + to its habits of nesting in "Cony borroughs," than that of + _aenanthe_, as applied to it by those who knew it as frequenting the + Continental vineyards. A name still, or recently in use in West + Norfolk, is Cony-chuck. + +Spermologus. [_sic_] Rookes wch by reason of the [in reason of _crossed +out_] great quantitie of corn feilds & Rooke groues are in great plentie +the yong ones are co[=m]only eaten sometimes sold in norwich market & +many are killd for their Liuers in order to cure of the Rickets. + +Crowes[44] as euerywhere and also the coruus variegatus or pyed crowe +with dunne & black interchangeably they come in the winter & depart in +the summer & seeme to bee the same wch clusius discribeth in the faro +Islands from whence perhaps these come. [they are _crossed out_] and I +have seen them [_written above_] very co[=m]on in Ireland, butt not +known in many parts of England. + + [44] The Crow (_Corvus corone_) is much less common in Norfolk than + formerly, but it still nests here in a few scattered localities. + _C. cornix_, the Hooded, Norway, Danish, or "Royston" Crow, is an + autumn immigrant as of yore, but not especially from the Faroee + Islands; both species (or forms as by some regarded) are immigrants + from the east, but the latter, as a rule, occupies a more northern + range than the former. The Raven (_C. corax_) is now a very rare + visitor to Norfolk; it is probable that it last nested in this + county in the year 1859. The Jackdaw, or Caddow, is common enough, + but the Chough (_Pyrrhocorax graculus_) is quite unknown in + Norfolk. Although the Magpie must have been well known to Browne I + find no mention of it in these notes. + +Coruus maior Rauens in good plentie about the citty wch makes so few +Kites to bee seen hereabout. they build in woods very early & lay egges +in februarie. + +Among the many monedulas or Jackdawes I could neuer in these parts +obserue the pyrrhocorax or cornish chough with red leggs & bill to bee +co[=m]only seen in Cornwall. & though there bee heere very great [num +_crossed out_] store of partridges yet [not _crossed out_] the french +Red leggd partridge[45] is not to bee met with [heere _crossed out_]. +the Ralla or Rayle[46] wee haue counted a dayntie dish. as also no small +number of Quayles. the Heathpoult[47] co[=m]on in the north is vnknown +heere as also the Grous. though I haue heard some haue been seen about +Lynne. the calandrier or great [_Fol. 19_] great [_sic_] crested lark +Galerita I haue not met with heere though with 3 other sorts [of Larkes +_written above_] the ground lark woodlark & titlark. + + [45] The Red-legged Partridge is now common enough; it was + introduced into the Eastern Counties at Sudbourne and Rendlesham, + in East Suffolk, in or about the year 1770, by both the Marquis of + Hertford and Lord Rendlesham. How quickly they established + themselves may be judged from the fact that in the season of 1806-7 + of 1,927 Partridges killed at Rendlesham 112 were Red legs, but + they do not seem to have spread very far. A second introduction, + this time into West Suffolk, much nearer to the Norfolk border, at + and about Culford, was effected in the year 1823, and from this + centre they rapidly spread into Norfolk, in which county also + others were imported by the resident proprietors. + + [46] The Land Rail (_Crex pratensis_) or Daker hen, is doubtless + here referred to, as the Water Rail has already been mentioned (p. + 15 _ante_) as "a kind of _Ralla aquatica_." This bird is a summer + visitor, by no means common and very uncertain in its numbers. The + same applies to the Quail, which appears to be less frequent than + formerly, no doubt from the great destruction on the Mediterranean + coast in spring of the birds migrating to England. In the summer + and autumn of 1870 we had an unusual influx of these latter birds. + + [47] How far the indigenous race of Blackgame, which undoubtedly + lingered for many years about Wolferton and Sandringham, still + exists, it is difficult to say; examples turn up occasionally, but + so many of these birds have been introduced and turned off in + different parts of the county in the course of the past forty + years, that it is impossible to speak with certainty. + +Stares or starlings in great numbers. most remarkable in their [great +_crossed out_] numerous [_written above_] flocks [about the _crossed +out_] wch I haue obserued about the Autumne when they roost at night [up +_crossed out_] in the marshes in safe place upon reeds & alders. wch to +obserue I went to the marshes about sunne set. where standing by their +vsuall place of resort I obserued very many flocks flying from all +quarters. wch in lesse than an howers space came all in & settled in +innumerable [quantitie _crossed out_] numbers [_written below_] in a +small compasse. + +Great varietie of finches[48] and other small birds whereof one very +small [one _crossed out_] calld a whinne bird marked with fine yellow +spotts & lesser than a wren. there is also a small bird called a chipper +somewhat resembling the former wch comes in the spring & feeds upon the +first buddings of birches & other early trees. + + [48] In his fifth letter to Merrett Browne says, "I confess for + such little birds I am much unsatisfied on the names given to many + by countrymen and uncertain what to give them myself." This is + painfully apparent in the cases of the two little birds here + referred to as the "Whinne-bird" and the "Chipper." From the + description of the former, "marked with fine yellow spots and + lesser than a Wren," also with a "shining yellow spot on the back + of the head," it seems likely that the Gold-crested Wren is + intended. The Chipper, he says, "comes in the spring and feeds upon + the first buddings of birches and other early trees;" he also calls + it "_Betulae carptor_," and says that he sends a drawing to Merrett; + a third mention is as follows: "That which I called a _Betulae + carptor_, and should rather have called it _Alni carptor_ ... it + feeds upon alder buds, nucaments, or seeds, which grow plentifully + here; they fly in little flocks." I can only suggest that this bird + may be the Siskin, which fairly answers the description. It visits + us in small flocks on its way north very early in the year, feeding + upon the seeds of the alder, birch, and larch trees. One would + however have thought that the Siskin would have been well known to + Browne, as it evidently was to Turner, Willughby, and Ray. Merrett + mentions it under Turner's name of "Luteola." + +A kind of Anthus [or _crossed out_] Goldfinch [_written above_] or +fooles coat co[=m]only calld a drawe water. finely marked with red & +yellowe & a white bill. wch they take with trap cages in norwich gardens +& fastning a chaine about them tyed to a box of water it makes a shift +with bill and legge to draw up the water unto it from the litle pot +hanging [abot the length of _crossed out_] by the chaine about a foote +[downe _crossed out_] belowe. + +[The account of the Roller, which is written on smaller paper, will be +found improperly inserted among the Fishes, between pp. 30 and 32 as +follows:--] + +[_Fol. 31._] On the xiiii of May 1664 a very rare bird was sent mee kild +about crostwick wch seemed to bee some kind of Jay.[49] the bill was +black strong and bigger then a Jayes somewhat yellowe clawes tippd +black. 3 before and one clawe behind the whole bird not so bigge as a +Jaye [the _crossed out_.] + + [49] This note is interesting as the first record of the occurrence + of the Roller in Britain, to which country it is a rare wanderer. + Although it had long been known on the Continent, its identity + seems to have puzzled Browne, and he imagines (as did others, both + before and after him,) it to be some kind of Jay; later, in his + second letter to Merrett (January, 1668), he says that it answers + to the description of _Garrulus argentoratensis_ (the name given by + Aldrovandus to whom it was known), and calls it "the Parrot-jay." + This is five years after the original note was made, and we find + that the words _Garrulus argentoratensis_, written by the same hand + but with a different pen and ink, have been added subsequently, + doubtless as the result of further information. In another letter + he mentions having sent the bird to Merrett, but adds, "If you have + it before I should bee content to have it againe otherwise you may + please keep it." + +The head neck & throat of a violet colour the back upper parts of the +wing of a russet yellowe the fore & part of the wing azure succeeded +downward by a greenish blewe then on the flying feathers bright blewe +the lower parts of the wing outwardly of a browne [the _crossed out_] +inwardly of a merry blewe the belly a light faynt blewe the back toward +the tayle of a purple blewe the tayle eleuen fethers of a greenish +coulour the extremities of the outward fethers thereof white wth an +eye[K] of greene. Garrulus Argentoratensis [_the name added in a +different ink and pen_]. + + [K] Tinge, shade, particularly a slight tint.--"Imp. Dict." + + + + +NOTES ON CERTAIN FISHES AND MARINE ANIMALS FOUND IN NORFOLK. + +[MS. SLOAN. 1882. FOL. 145-146. ALTERED TO 21 AND 22, AND 1830 FOL. +23-30 AND 32-38.] + + [The introductory remarks, paragraphs one to three, will be + found in the volume of the Sloane MSS. numbered 1882 (labelled + "Notes on Generation"), on pages 145 and 146, which are altered + to 21 and 22. They were placed in their present position by + Wilkin, but although appropriate, there is nothing to show that + they belong to the set of notes here reproduced, and they may + form memoranda for the beginning of some essay never completed. + The contents of the volume in question are of a very + miscellaneous character, and consist of fragmentary notes, which + appear to be memoranda jotted down at random.] + + +[_Fol. 21/145._] It may well seeme no easie matter to giue any +considerable account of fishes and animals of the sea wherein tis sayd +that there are things creeping innumerable both small and great beasts +because they liue in an element wherein they are not so easely +discouerable notwithstanding probable it is that after this long +nauigation search of the ocean bayes creeks Estuaries and riuers that +there is scarce any fish butt hath been seen by some man for the large & +breathing sort thereof do sometimes discouer themselues aboue water and +the other are in such numbers that some at one time or other they are +discouered and taken euen the most barbarous nations being much addicted +to fishing and in America and the new discouered world the people were +well acquantd with fishes of sea and riuers, and the fishes thereof haue +been since described by industrious writers. + +Pliny seemes to short in the estimate of their number in the ocean, who +recons up butt one hundred & seventie six species. butt the seas being +now farther known & searched [_21/145 verso_] Bellonius much enlargeth. + +and in his booke of Birds thus deliuereth himself allthough I think it +impossible to reduce the same vnto a certain number yet I may freelie +say that tis beyond the power of man to find out more than fiue hundred +sorts [kinds _written above_] of fishes three hundred sorts of birds +more than three hundred sorts of fourfoted animalls and fortie +diversities of serpents.[50] + + [50] This estimate of the number of species of birds and fishes + existing is amusing in the light of the present knowledge of the + subject. Of course any such estimate can only be approximate, and + open to constant emendation; but according to a statement in the + "Zoological Record" of 1896, it was believed that there were + something like 386,000 described species: 2,500 of which are + mammals, 12,500 birds, 4,400 reptilia and batrachia, 12,000 fishes, + 50,000 mollusca, 20,000 crustacea, and 250,000 insecta; the smaller + divisions I have omitted. And whereas only about 10,000 species of + plants were known to Linnaeus, Professor Vines in his address to the + Botanical section at the Bradford meeting of the British + Association, 1900, states that the approximate number of recognised + plants at present existing is 175,596; but this is far short of the + total of existing species. Professor Saccardo states that there are + 250,000 fungi alone, and that the number of existing species in + other groups would bring the total up to over 400,000. + + +[SLOANE MSS. 1830, FOL. 23-38.] + +[_Fol. 23._] Of fishes sometimes the larger sort are taken or come +ashoar. A spermaceti whale[51] of 62 foote long neere Welles. another of +the same kind 20 yeares before at Hunstanton. & not farre of 8 or nine +came ashoare & 2 had yong ones after they were forsaken by ye water. + + [51] In the muniment room at Hunstanton Hall there exists a book of + MSS. notes relating to their estates, kept by Sir Hamon and Sir + Nicholas le Strange, between the years 1612 and 1723. From this + book Mr. Hamon le Strange has been good enough to send me an + extract containing the full particulars of the stranding and + disposal of a Sperm Whale 57 feet long, which came ashore on their + Manor of Holme, on the 6th December, 1626, the skull of which is + still in the courtyard at Hunstanton Hall. + + Browne had not come to reside in Norwich at that time, and the + chapter on the Spermaceti Whale in his _Pseudodoxia Epidemica_, was + inspired by a subsequent occurrence of the same kind, for, as + appears from the above note, a larger individual, 62 feet long, + came ashore at Wells 20 years later, which he says led him to + further inquiry. This would indicate about the year 1646 as the + date of the latter occurrence, whereas in his third letter to + Merrett, written in 1668, he states that it happened "about 12 + years ago," or in 1656. There is probably an error in one of these + dates. + + Another example seems to have been found at Yarmouth about the year + 1652, for we find Browne writing in that year for particulars of + its "cutting up." (See Appendix E.) + + In the postscript to a letter also in the muniment room at + Hunstanton, dated June 11th, 1653, written to Sir Hamon le Strange, + who had been consulting him professionally, Browne says: "I pray + you at your leisure doe mee the honor to informe mee how long agoe + the Spermaceti Whale was cast upon your shoare & whether you had + any spermm with in any other part butt the head." It will be + noticed that in both the letters referred to he is anxious to + ascertain in what part of the body the "sperm" was situated, + doubtless for the purpose of confuting the "vulgar conceit" as to + the origin of the "sperm" referred to in the second paragraph of + his treatise in the _Pseudodoxia_. His investigations also probably + first led to a certain knowledge as to the nature of the food of + this animal. + + These, however, although the first to be recorded in this county, + were not the first or only occurrences of the kind, for there is in + the parish church of Great Yarmouth the base of the skull of a + Sperm Whale, used as a chair, for the painting of which a charge of + five shillings appears in the churchwardens' accounts for the year + 1606; many such events in European waters are to be found recorded. + + But the most interesting circumstance with regard to these whales + is the statement that "two had yong ones after they were forsaken + by the water." This event renders it highly improbable that they + were Sperm Whales, for the stragglers of that species which have + been met with in our waters, and indeed in the northern seas + generally, have been almost invariably solitary males, or, in one + or two instances "schools" of young males. In the only instance in + which both sexes were found, the school was composed I believe of + immature individuals. (_Vide_ J. Anderson, "Nachrichten von Island, + Groenland, und der Strasse Davis," Frantfurt (1747), p. 248.) + Moreover, this view is confirmed by a letter which will be found in + Appendix B., where the following passage occurs:--"And not only + whales, but grampusses have been taken in this Estuarie ... and + about twenty years ago four were run ashore near Hunstanton, and + two had young ones after they had come to land." A so-called + Grampus which came ashore on the 21st July, 1700, was from a + description and drawing in the le Strange MS. above quoted, a male + _Hyperoodon rostratus_, apparently nearly adult. + + The Grampus (_Orca gladiator_) (mentioned in the next paragraph) is + frequently met with in the British seas, and has repeatedly + occurred on the Norfolk coast. Some early occurrences are on + record, for instance in Mackerell's "History of Lynn," twelve are + said to have come ashore near that town in 1636, and another in + 1680. Two very juvenile examples were taken off Yarmouth in + November 1894. + +A grampus aboue 16 foot long taken at yarmouth [3 or _crossed out_] 4 +yeares agoe. + +The Tursio or porpose is co[=m]on the Dolphin[52] more rare though +sometimes taken wch many confound with the porpose. butt it hath a more +waued line along the skinne sharper toward ye tayle the head longer and +nose more extended wch maketh good the figure of Rondeletius. the flesh +more red & [fa _crossed out_] well cooked of very good taste to most +palates & exceedeth that of porpose. + + [52] There can be no doubt that the Common Dolphin (_Delphinus + delphis_) is here referred to, and indeed this species might + reasonably be expected to be met with on our coast, as its range + extends at least as far to the north as the Scandinavian waters, + but so far as the writer is aware Browne's is the only record of + its having been met with in Norfolk. The White-beaked Dolphin (_D. + albirostris_) is not unfrequent, but it is clear that Browne does + not refer to that species. + + In the "Vulgar Errors," Browne devotes a whole chapter (chapter ii. + of the fifth book) to a learned treatise on the "Picture of + Dolphins," and in one of the letters to his son Edward (Sloane + MSS., 1847), dated June 14th [1676?], he writes feelingly as an + anatomist, evidently fearing that a specimen then available might + be wasted, instead of being reserved for scientific purposes; for, + says he, "if the dolphin were to be showed for money in Norwich, + little would bee got; if they showed it in London they are like to + take out the viscera, and salt the fish, and then the dissection + will be unconsiderable." He then refers to the dolphin "opened when + the King was here," and describes its anatomical peculiarities, + adding that Dame Browne cooked the flesh "so as to make an + excellent savory dish of it," and that "collars" thereof (steaks + cut transversely) being sent to the King, who was then at + Newmarket, for his table, they "were well liked of." It is evident + therefore that he was present at the dissection of two of these + animals. + +The vitulus marinus[53] seacalf or seale wch is often taken sleeping on +the shoare [4 _crossed out_] 5 [_written above_] yeares agoe one was +shot in the riuer of norwich about surlingham [wh _crossed out_] ferry +having continued in the riuer for diuers moneths before being an +Amphibious animal it may bee caryed about aliue & kept long if it can +bee brought to feed some haue been kept many moneths in ponds. the +pizzell the bladder the cartilago ensiformis the figure of the Throttle +the clusterd & racemous forme of the kidneys [_Fol. 24_] the flat & +compressed heart are remarkable in it. in stomaks of all that I have +opened I have found many [short _crossed out_] wormes. + + [53] There is in the present day a considerable number of Common + Seals inhabiting the sand-banks of the Wash between the Norfolk and + Lincolnshire coasts, and they are frequently captured by the + fishermen; nor has the habit of straying into fresh-water deserted + them, for in recent years they have been taken in the River Ouse at + Bluntisham, forty miles from the sea. Three other species of Seal + have been taken on the Norfolk coast, viz., _Phoca hispida_, _P. + barbata_, and _Halichoerus gryphus_. + +I haue also obserued a scolopendra cetacea[54] of about ten foot long +answering to the figure in Rondeletius wch the mariners told me was +taken in these seas. + + [54] A Scolopendra, ten feet long, is at first rather startling, + but on referring to Rondeletius's _Libri de piscibus Marinis_ (lib. + xvi. p. 488), I find that under the name "Scolopendra" he includes + at least three distinct forms--i., _S. terrestris_, a centipede; + ii., _S. marina_, certain species of Nereidiform polychaet worms; + iii., _Scolopendra cetacea_, regarded as a Cetacean and figured + with a Cetacean blow-hole. With regard to this remarkable figure my + friend, Dr. S. F. Harmer, has favoured me with the following + note:--"In the account given Rondeletius is evidently writing from + report; the figure is also no doubt borrowed, and may have been + 'improved' when redrawn; it seems to me that it is based upon some + kind of Tunny, although he figures a Tunny earlier in the book + (lib. viii. p. 249). The idea of the lateral appendages might have + been derived from the dorsal and ventral finlets of a Tunny; but + the first four finlets on each side are imaginary structures, and + in a wrong position. I can offer no opinion with regard to the + nasal appendages." Jonston (_De piscibus_, p. 156, Tab. xliv.) also + gives a similar figure of _Scolopendra_ _Cetacea_, which appears to + be a further modification of Rondeletius's figure; here it has + teeth, shown like those of the Sperm Whale, and an extra dorsal-fin + is added; the number of lateral appendages is the same, and a + column of water proceeding from the blow-hole is falling gracefully + forward. It is worthy of notice that Rondeletius also figures the + Saw-fish [Pristis] with a blow-hole. + +A pristes or serra [_written above_] saw fish[55] taken about Lynne +co[=m]only mistaken for a [sha _crossed out_] sword fish & answers the +figure in Rondeletius. + + [55] In the "Transactions of the Linnean Society," ii., p. 273, is + an essay by Latham "On the various species of Sawfish," but he does + not mention any British locality. So far as I am aware Browne's is + the only record of the occurrence of this southern species in + British waters, with the exception of a note in Fleming's "British + Animals," p. 164, where it is stated on the authority of the late + Dr. Walker's MS. "Adversaria" for 1769, that _Pristis antiquorum_ + is "found sometimes in Loch Long," but Fleming adds that he has met + with no other proof of its ever having visited the British shores. + Browne mentions in his eighth letter to Merrett that he sends him a + "figure in little" of a _Pristis_ which he received of a Yarmouth + seaman, and is so precise in his statement that his fish was + _Pristis serra_ (the _Pristis antiquorum_ of Cuvier), that his + record cannot be disregarded. He specially guards against its being + mistaken for the Sword-fish (_Xiphias gladius_), which has been + taken on several occasions in our waters, and of which he gives + some interesting particulars. + +A sword fish or Xiphias or Gladius intangled in the Herring netts at +yarmouth agreable unto the Icon in Johnstonus with a smooth sword not +vnlike the Gladius of Rondeletius about a yard & half long, no teeth [n +_crossed out_] eyes very remarkable enclosed in an hard cartilaginous +couercle about ye bignesse of a good apple. ye vitreous humor plentifull +the crystalline larger then a nutmegge [cleare _crossed out_] remaining +cleare sweet & vntainted when the rest of the eye was vnder a deepe +corruption wch wee kept clear & limpid many moneths vntill an hard frost +split it & manifested the foliations thereof. + +It is not vnusuall to take seuerall sorts of canis or doggefishes[56] +great and small wch pursue the shoale of herrings and other fish butt +this yeare 1662 one was taken intangled in the Herring netts about 9 +foot in length, answering the last figure of Johnstonus lib 7 vnder the +name of _canis carcherias alter_ & was by the teeth & 5 gills one kind +of shark particularly [_Fol. 25_] remarkable in the vastnesse of the +optick nerves & 3 conicall hard pillars wch supported the extraordinarie +elevated nose wch wee haue reserued with the scull the seamen calld this +kind a scrape. + + [56] Various species of Dog-fish are frequent off the Norfolk coast + as elsewhere. The name "Sweet William" is applied to the larger + fish of this kind, especially to the Tope; this appears also to + have been the case in Pennant's time, for alluding to this + vernacular name he supposes it was applied in ironical allusion to + the offensive smell of their flesh and skin. They are objects of + great aversion among the fishermen, owing to the disturbance they + create among the shoals of fish, and the damage they do to both + nets and the enclosed fish. Scarcely a season passes but one or + more specimens of Browne's _Canis carcharias_, or, as modern + Ichthyologists call it, _Lamna cornubica_, the Porbeagle, being + entangled in the drift nets and landed with the herrings. One lies + on the fish-wharf at Lowestoft as I write this note on the 19th of + October, 1900, measuring 7 feet 10 inches in length. Jonston's + figure referred to by Browne is evidently intended for this + species, but he makes a slight error in the reference to the + _Historia Naturalis (De Piscibus et Cetis)_; it occurs in book v., + and the figure is fig. 6 on Tab. vi., and it is marked _Canis + carcharias alius_ (not alter). + +Sturio or Sturgeon[57] so co[=m]on on the other side of the sea about +the mouth of the elbe come seldome into our creekes though some haue +been taken at yarmouth & more in the great [owse _crossed out_] Owse by +Lynne butt their heads not so sharpe as represented in the Icons of +Rondeletius & Johnstonus. + + [57] So great is the variation in the snout of the Sturgeon, that + Dr. Parnell in his excellent essay on "The Fishes of the District + of the Forth," describes the Sharp-nosed Sturgeon as a distinct + species under the name of _Acipenser sturio_, and the broad-nosed + form he calls _A. latirostris_. His views, however, have not been + generally accepted, and only one British species is recognised. The + Sharp-nosed variety has been taken here, but the normal form is + much more frequent. + +Sometimes wee meet with a mola or moonefish[58] so called from some +resemblance it hath [from _crossed out_] of a crescent in the extreme +part of the body from one finne unto another one being taken neere the +shoare at yarmouth before breake of day seemed to shiuer & grunt like an +hogge as Authors deliuer of it the flesh being hard & neruous it is not +like to afford a good dish butt from the Liuer wch is [white _crossed +out_] large white & tender somewhat [wee _crossed out_] may bee expected +[for _crossed out_] the gills of these fishes wee found thick beset with +a kind of sealowse. [Added subsequently] in the yeare 1667 a mola was +taken at monsley wch weighed 2 [p _crossed out_] hundred pound. + + [58] This fish (_Orthagoriscus mola_), which we know as the + Sun-fish, has been repeatedly taken here. For an account of its + parasites see Cobbold on the "Sun-fish as a host," "Intellectual + Observer," ii., p. 82; also Day, "Brit. Fishes," ii., p. 275. + According to Dr. Spencer Cobbold the Sun-fish is infested by nine + species of Helminths, three of which are mostly found attached to + the gills, while a fourth adheres to the surface of the body. + +The Rana piscatrix or frogge fish[59] is sometimes found in a very large +magnitude & wee haue taken the [paynes _crossed out_] care [_written +above_] to haue them clend & stuffed. wherein wee obserued all the +appendices whereby the[y] cach fishes butt much larger then are +discribed in the Icons of Johnstonus tab xi fig 8. + + [59] Both this species and the Wolf-fish are well known upon our + coast. + +[_Fol. 26_] The sea [wollf _crossed out_] wolf or Lupus nostras of +Schoneueldus remarkable for its spotted skinne & notable teeth incisors +Dogteeth & grinders the dogteeth [in the _crossed out_] both in the +jawes & palate scarce answerable by any fish of that bulk for [strength +_crossed out_] the like disposure strength & soliditie. + +Mustela marina[60] called by some a wesell ling wch salted & dryed +becomes a good Lenten dish. + + [60] Some member of the family _Gadidae_ is here referred to, + probably the five-bearded Rockling, _Motella mustela_, or Brown + Whistle-fish of Pennant, which is occasionally taken by our + fishermen, but is by no means common. + +A Lump or Lumpus Anglorum so named by Aldrouandus by some esteemed a +festiuall dish though it affordeth butt a glutinous jellie & the skinne +is beset with stony knobs after no certaine order ours most answereth +the first figure in the xiii table of Johnstonus butt seemes more round +& arcuated then that figure makes it. + +Before the herrings there co[=m]only cometh a fish about a foot long by +the fish man called an horse[61] resembling in all poynts the Trachurus +of Rondeletius of a mixed shape between a mackerell & an herring. +obseruable from [an oblique bo _crossed out_] its greene eyes rarely +skye colored back after it is kept a day & an oblique bony line running +on ye outside from the gills vnto ye tayle. a drye & hard dish butt +makes an handsome picture. + + [61] This is the Horse Mackerel, or Scad, _Caranx trachurus_; a + handsome fish and common enough, especially off Sheringham, but not + much esteemed for the table. + +The Rubelliones or Rochets[62] butt thinly met with on this coast. the +gornart cuculus or Lyrae species more often wch they seldome eat butt +bending the back & sprdding the finnes into a liuely posture do hang +them up in their howses. + + [62] Fish of the Gurnard kind are here referred to. The Rochet of + Pennant is the Red Gurnard, _Trigla cuculus_; he calls _T. lyra_ + the Piper. Large numbers of various species of Gurnard are brought + in by our trawlers and sell readily, especially the Sapphirine + Gurnard, or Tub-fish (_T. hirundo_), which is known as the "Lachet" + on our coast; it reaches a large size, and seems to be much in + demand for the table. In spring the colours are very brilliant, and + they are frequently seen on the fish stalls with their pectoral + fins extended as Browne describes. + +[_Fol. 27._] Beside the co[=m]on mullus[63] or mullet there is another +not vnfrequent wch some call a cunny fish butt rather a red muellett of +a flosculous redde & somewhat rough on the scales answering the +discription of [Rond _crossed out_] Icon of Rondeletius vnder the name +of mullus ruber asper [no _crossed out_] butt not the tast of the +vsually knowne mullet as [being butt _crossed out_] affording butt a +drye & leane bitt. + + [63] The Common Mullet I take to be the Grey Mullet (_Mugil + capito_), which is at times plentiful on our coast, coming into + Breydon and the mouths of the rivers, but the Red Mullet (_Mullus + barbatus_) is far less frequently met with. In his third letter to + Merrett, Browne says, "There is of them _maior_ and _minor_," the + latter probably being the variety known as the Surmullet, by far + the most frequently met with here. + +Seuerall sorts of fishes[64] there are wch [bear _crossed out_] do +[_written above_] or may beare the names of seawoodcocks as the Acus +maior scolopax & saurus. the saurus wee sometimes meet with yonge. +Rondeletius confesseth it a very rare fish somewhat resembling the Acus +or needlefish before & a makerell behind. wee have kept one dryed many +yeares agoe. + + [64] The Saurus of Rondeletius appears to be the Skipper or + Saury-pike (_Scombresox saurus_) of modern authors. _Acus major_ is + the Gar-fish or Greenback (_Belone vulgaris_); this is the _Acus + primus_ of Rondeletius, Dr. Harmer has been good enough to send me + the following note on Rondeletius's figures:--"_De Acus secunda + specie_" (lib. viii. p. 229). "Two species are figured; the upper + figure appears to represent _Siphonostoma typhle_, and the lower + one _S. acus_. Guenther ('Brit. Mus. Cat.,' viii. p. 157) gives a + reference to Rondeletius in his synonyms of _S. acer_ without + indicating that the latter figures two species. Under _S. typhle_ + (p. 154) he gives the synonym _Syngnathus rondeletii_, De la Roche. + A reference to Delaroche ('Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat., Paris,' xiii, 1809 + p. 324, Pl. xxi. fig. 5) shows that _S. rondeletii_ is identified + with the first figure on p. 229 of Rondeletius; and it may thus be + concluded that Guenther agrees with this conclusion. It seems + therefore probable that Browne's Acus of Aristotle refers to _S. + typhle_." + +The Acus maior calld by some a garfish & greenback answering ye figure +of Rondeletius under the name of Acus prima species remarkable for its +quadrangular figure and verdigreece green back bone. + +[L] A lesser sort of Acus [wee _crossed out_] maior or primae specaeei wee +meet with [answering the saurus of Rondeletius _crossed out_] much +shorter then the co[=m]on garfish & in taking out the spine wee found it +not green as in the greater & much answering the saurus of Rondeletius. + + [L] This and the next paragraph on the back of Fol. 26 are in + different ink and smaller writing though in the same hand, and + appear to have been added subsequently. The first paragraph is + omitted by Wilkin. + +A scolopax[65] or sea woodcock of Rondeletius was giuen mee by a seaman +of these seas. about 3 inches long & seemes to bee one kind of Acus or +needlefish answering the discription of Rondeletius. + + [65] The Scolopax, or Sea Woodcock, is clearly _Centriscus + scolopax_, a very rare fish in the British seas, and it would have + been well had Browne given a more precise account of the origin of + his specimen. + +The Acus of Aristotle [_see Note 64_] lesser thinner corticated & +sexangular by diuers calld an addercock & somewhat resembling a snake +ours more plainly finned then Rondeletius discribeth it. + +A little corticated fish[66] about [4 inches _crossed out_] 3 or 4 +inches long [_several words smeared out_] ours answering that wch is +named piscis octangularis by wormius, cataphractus by Schoneueldeus. +octagonius versus caput, versus caudam hexagonius. + + [66] Doubtless the Armed Bull-head, or Pogge, _Agonus + cataphractus_. A MS. note in Berkenhout says it was called at + Lowestoft a Beetle-head (1769). + +[_Fol. 28._] The faber marinus[67] sometimes found very large answering +ye figure of Rondeletius. which though hee mentioneth as a rare fish & +to be found in the Atlantick & Gaditane ocean yet wee often meet with it +in these seas co[=m]only calld a peterfish hauing [a _crossed out_] one +[_written above_] black spot on ether side the body conceued the +perpetuall signature from the impression of St Peters fingers or to +resemble the 2 peeces of money wch St Peter tooke out of this fish +remarkable also from its disproportionable mouth & many hard prickles +about other parts. + + [67] _Zeus faber_, the Dory. Many, usually small ones, are brought + in by our fishermen. + +A kind of scorpius marinus[68] a rough prickly & monstrous headed fish 6 +8 or 12 inches long answerable vnto the figure of Schoneueldeus. + + [68] _Cottus scorpius_, Father Lasher, commonly taken by the + shrimpers. + +A sting fish[69] wiuer or kind of ophidion or Araneus slender, narrowe +headed about 4 inches long wth a sharpe small prickly finne along the +back which often venemously pricketh the hands of fishermen. + + [69] Probably from its size the Lesser Weever, _Trachinus vipera_, + as also the _Draco minor_ of Jonstoni. A common fish in our waters. + Large numbers of the Greater Weever, _T. draco_, are brought in by + the trawlers. + +Aphia cobites marina[70] or sea Loche. + + [70] One of the Gobies. Day, "Brit. Fishes," i., p. 169, supposes + the _Aphya cobites_ of Rondeletius (p. 20) to be the White Goby, + _A. pellucida_; Pennant has _A. cobites_ as a synonym for the + Spotted Goby (_G. minutus_) and the Sea Gudgeons, Black Gobies (_G. + niger_), but at that time there was no very nice distinction of the + members of this genus. The Sea Miller's Thumb is probably the + Shanny (_Blennius pholis_). _Alosa_, is the Allis Shad (_Culpea + alosa_, L.), not uncommon (_see Note 74_). + +Blennus a sea millars thumb. + +Funduli marini sea gogions. + +Alosae or chads to bee met with about Lynne. + +Spinachus or smelt[71] in greatest plentie about Lynne butt [co[=m]on on +yarmouth coast _crossed out_] where they haue also a small fish calld a +primme answering in [all _crossed out_] tast & shape a smelt & perhaps +are butt the yonger sort thereof. + + [71] The Smelt, _Osmerus eperlanus_, is abundant in the shallow + waters and estuaries on the Norfolk coast in spring, ascending the + fresh-water rivers to spawn. The small fish called a Primme by + Browne, may be the Atherine (_Atherina presbyter_), which is also + found in our waters, where it is often mistaken for the Smelt, but + I have not heard it called by the former name. + +[_Fol 29._] Aselli or cods of seuerall sorts. Asellus albus or whitings +in great plentie. Asellus niger carbonarius or [col _crossed out_] coale +fish. Asellus minor Schoneueldei callarias pliny or Haydocks with many +more also a weed fish somewhat like an haydock butt larger & dryer meat. +A Basse also much resembling a flatter kind of Cod.[72] + + [72] The first three fishes named in this paragraph need no + comment; the Weed-fish is doubtless a local name, but for what + species I cannot discover. The Bass, _Labrax lupus_ (Cuv.), is, as + might be expected from the nature of our coast, by no means common + here. + +Scombri are makerells[73] in greate plentie a dish much desired butt if +as Rondeletius affirmeth they feed upon sea starres & squalders (_see +Note 90_) there may bee some doubt whether their flesh bee without some +ill qualitie sometimes they are of a very large size & one was taken +this yeare 1668 wch was by measure an ell long and of ye length of a +good salmon, at Lestoffe. + + [73] The latter part of this paragraph, beginning, "Sometimes they + are of a very large size," is written on the left-hand side of the + opening, and is evidently a subsequent addition. One would be + inclined to think from the great size of the fish here recorded (3 + ft. 9 in.), that it may have been a species of Tunny, or even a + Bonito, both of which have been taken on the Norfolk coast. + Seventeen inches is a large mackerel. + +Herrings departed sprats or sardae not long after succeed in great +plentie wch are taken with smaller nets [& dryed _crossed out_] & smoakd +& dryed like herrings become a [daint _crossed out_] sapid bitt & +vendible abroad. + +Among these are found Bleakes or bliccae[74] a thinne herring like fishe +wch some will also think to bee young herrings. And though the sea +aboundeth not with pilchards, yet they are co[=m]only taken among +herrings. butt few esteeme thereof or eat them. + + [74] It is quite evident that the fish referred to here, and again + in the sixth letter to Merrett, is not the true Bleak (_Alburnus + lucideus_) of our freshwaters. It seems that the young of some + species of Clupeoid was thus known, for I find it stated in a MS. + note in a copy of Berkenhout's "Outlines of the Natural History of + Great Britain," (1769), in the possession of Mr. T. E. Gunn, that + the Bleak and the Sprat are often caught together in the sea at + Aldeburgh (Suffolk) in November, and the writer of the note adds, + "the Bleak is larger than the Sprat, its eyes are larger, and the + upper part of its belly serrated." I think from this description + and from Browne's remarks, that the young of a species of Shad must + have been mistaken for the Bleak, which although found low down in + our rivers almost to where the salt tide mingles with the fresh, + does not I believe enter the salt water. + +Congers are not so co[=m]on on these coasts as on many seas about +England, butt are often found upon the north coast of Norfolk, & in +frostie wether left in pulks & plashes upon the ebbe of the sea. + +[_Fol. 30._] The sand eels Anglorum of Aldrouandus, or Tobianus of +Schoneueldeus co[=m]only called smoulds taken out of the sea sands with +forks & rakes about Blakeney and Burnham a small round slender fish +about 3 or 4 inches long as bigge as a small Tobacco pipe a very dayntie +dish. + +Pungitius marinus[75] or sea bansticle hauing a prickle one each side +the smallest fish of the sea about an inch long sometimes drawne ashoare +with netts together with weeds & pargaments[M] of the sea. + + [75] The smallest of the genus _Gasterosteus_, or Stanstickles, is + _G. pungitius_, the ten-spined Stickleback, but this fish is two + inches long when full grown. All the species seem to be more or + less indifferent to the salinity of the water. The fifteen-spined + Stickleback, _G. spinachia_, is also sometimes taken by the + shrimpers, and is the most truly marine species, but is by no means + "the smallest fish of the sea." + + [M] This word which Wilkin renders "fragments," is doubtless from + the Latin _pergamentum_, and it seems likely that Browne had in + view certain sea-weeds, possibly _Laminaria_ or _Ulva_ which, + especially when dry, present somewhat the appearance and texture of + parchment. + +Many sorts of flat fishes[76] The pastinaca oxyrinchus with a long & +strong aculeus in the tayle conceuud of speciall venome & virtues. + + [76] _Pastinaca oxyrinchus_ appears to be the Sting Ray (_Trygon + pastinaca_); _Raia clavata_, the Thornback; _R. oculata_, the + Spotted Ray (_R. maculata_); _R. aspera_; the Shagreen Ray? (_R. + fullonica_). + +Severall sorts of Raia's skates & Thornebacks the Raia clauata +oxyrinchus, raia oculata, aspera, spinosa fullonica. + +The great Rhombus or Turbot aculeatus & leuis. + +The passer or place. + +Butts of various kinds. + +The passer squamosus Bret Bretcock[77] & skulls comparable in taste and +delicacy vnto the soale. + + [77] The Brill, _Rhombus laevis_ (Lin.), _Passer asper squamosus___, + Rondl., formerly known as the Brett, Bretcock, Skull, or Pearl. + +The Buglossus solea or soale[78] plana & oculata as also the Lingula or +small soale all in very great plentie. + + [78] _Solea vulgaris_, the Common Sole. The "_Lingula_, or small + Sole," is probably the _Solea variegata_, Flem., the _S. parva sive + Lingula_ of Rond. Jonston figures "_Solea lingulata_," Tab. xx., + fig. 12, but I am uncertain what species is intended. It is + possible that Browne may have Latinised the trade name by which + small Soles are known in the market as "slips" and "tongues." What + other species he may have wished to indicate as "plana" and + "oculata" it is difficult to determine. + +Sometimes a fish aboue half a yard long like a butt[79] or soale called +asprage wch I haue known taken about Cromer. + + [79] The "asprage" (or it may be "a sprage") may possibly be the + Dab, _Pleuranectes limanda_, which Rondeletius calls _Passer + asper_. I do not find that species mentioned otherwise, and a great + many are taken by the Cromer and Sheringham fishermen. + +[_Fol. 31._] [See _Roller ante_ p. 30.] + +[_Fol. 32._] Sepia or cuttle fish[80] [smear] & great plentie of the +bone or shellie substance which sustaineth the whole bulk of that soft +fishe found co[=m]only on the shoare. + + [80] Of the various species of the Cephalopoda, _Sepia + officinalis_, is more often represented by its calcareous dorsal + plate than by the entire animal, for large numbers of these + "cuttle-bones" are sometimes strewed along the shore for miles. The + Squid, _Loligo vulgaris_, is often met with, sometimes of + considerable size. The horny "pen" resembles a short leaf-shaped + Roman sword, and Browne's term, "Gladiolus," is quite as + appropriate as that of "Calamus." His _Polypus_ is probably + _Octopus vulgaris_, but it is rarely met with on the Norfolk coast. + +The Loligo sleue or calamar found often upon the shoare from head to +tayle [such _crossed out_] sometimes aboue an ell long, remarkable for +its parretlike bill, the gladiolus or calamus along the back & the +notable crystallyne of the eye wch equalleth if not exceedeth the lustre +of orientall pearle. + +A polypus another kind of the mollia[N] sometimes wee haue met with. + + [N] By _mollia_ is meant all soft-bodied shell-less animals. + +Lobsters in great number about sheringham and cromer from whence all the +country is supplyed. + +Astacus marinus pediculi [marini _written above_] facie[81] found also +in that place. with the aduantage of ye long foreclawes about 4 inches +long. + + [81] Probably _Nephrops norvegicus_, the Norway Lobster, called at + Lowestoft a Crayfish or Prawn. They are sometimes brought in in + large numbers by the steam trawlers, but the precise locality in + which they are captured I am unable to say; the fishermen say the + "North Sea," which is rather a vague address, but others say + between the Texel and Heligoland. + +Crabs large & well tasted found also in the same coast. + +Another kind of crab[82] taken for cancer fluuiatilis litle slender & of +a very quick motion found in the Riuer running through yarmouth. [_added +subsequently_] & in bliburgh riuer. + + [82] _Carsinus maenas_, the Shore-crab, a very common species on the + Norfolk coast is here intended. + +[_Fol. 33._] Oysters exceeding large about Burnham and [Huns _crossed +out_] Hunstanton like those of poole St Mallowes or ciuita [vech +_crossed out_] vechia whereof [some _crossed out_] many are eaten rawe +the shells being broakin with [cle _crossed out_] cleuers the greater +part pickled & sent weekly to London & other parts. + +Mituli or muscles in great quantitie as also chams or cochles about +stiskay [_sic_] & ye northwest coast. + +Pectines pectunculi varij or scallops of the lesser sort. + +Turbines or smaller wilks, leues, striati. as also Trochi, Trochili, or +scaloppes finely variegated & pearly. [as also _crossed out_.] Lewise +[_sic_] purpurae minores, nerites, cochleae, Tellinae. + +Lepades, patellae Limpets, of an vniualue shell wherein an animal like a +snayle cleauing fast unto the rocks. + +Solenes cappe lunge venetorum co[=m]only a razor fish the shell thereof +dentalia + +[The MS. breaks off here, and the next paragraph appears to be an +interpolation.] + +Dentalia by some called pinpaches because pinmeat thereof is taken out +with a pinne or needle.[83] + + [83] Mussels and Cockles are very abundant all along the shallow + shores of North-west Norfolk, as well as Clams, _Mya arenaria_. + "Scallops of the lesser sort" are probably _Pecten opercularius_ + and _P. varius_. The Whelk, _Buccinum undatum_, is also very + numerous, and forms the staple of a considerable industry at + Sheringham; the lesser, or Dog-Whelk, _Nassa reticulata_, as well + as _Purpura lapillus_ and several sorts of Trochus, are commonly + met with. The genus Nerita was a very comprehensive one in Browne's + time, and included many species of Littorina, of which the + well-known Periwinkle, _L. littorea_, is the most numerous here. No + true Nerita is now recognised as British, although in the warmer + seas the genus is a very numerous one. The most common Tellina here + is _T. tenuis_, _Lepades patellae_ are of course the common Limpet + (_Patella vulgata_), and of the Solen, or Razor Shell, which Gwyn + Jeffreys says in the time of Aldrovandus was called by the + Venetians "cappa longa," we have two species found on the sandy + portions of the coast. Here some confusion exists in the MS., after + the words, "the shell thereof dentalia," the note ends abruptly, + and is followed by an interpolation which seems quite irrelevant, + as Dentalia have surely never been called "Pin-patches" (the + vernacular name for _Littorina littorea_), nor is it probable that, + like that common univalve, they were ever taken out of their shells + with a pin or needle. _Dentalia_ are mentioned on two other + occasions as of doubtful occurrence and _Dentalium entalis_ has + slight claim to be a native of Norfolk; the only recorded specimen + I know of was picked up in 1890 by Mr. Mayfield, from the drift on + the beach between Wells and Holkham. + +Cancellus Turbinum et neritis[84] Barnard the Hermite of Rondeletius a +kind of crab or astacus liuing in a forsaken wilk or nerites. + + [84] Hermit Crabs are here referred to, the larger, _Pagurus + bernhardus_, found very frequently inhabiting the shells of the + Whelk, and a smaller species which takes up its abode in those of a + _Trochus_. + +echinus echinometrites[85] sea hedghogge whose neat shells are co[=m]on +on the shoare the fish aliue often taken [with _crossed out_] by the +dragges among the oysters. + + [85] Dead _Echini_ are very common on the sea-shore, and many + living ones are dredged by the shrimpers. _Echinus sphaera_ is the + most common on the Norfolk coast; _E. miliaris_, a small species, + is also very abundant about Cromer. + +[This and the next paragraph on fol. 33 _verso_.] + +Balani[86] a smaller sort of vniualue growing co[=m]only in clusters. +the smaller kinds thereof to bee found oftimes upon oysters wilks & +lobsters. + + [86] The species of Cirripeds referred to are probably the common + Acorn Barnacle (_Balanus porcatus_) and the Goose Barnacle (_Lepas + anatifera_), the latter occasionally found on ships' bottoms and + drift-wood, probably carried by favourable currents from warmer + seas than our own. + +Concha anatifera or Ansifera or Barnicleshell whereof about 4 yeares +past were found upon the shoare no small number by yarmouth hanging by +slender strings of a kind of Alga vnto seuerall splinters or [clefts +_crossed out_] cleauings of firre boards vnto wch they were seuerally +fastned & hanged like ropes of onyons: their shell flat & of a peculiar +forme differing from other shelles, this being of four diuisions. +containing a small imperfect animal at the lower part diuided into many +shootes or streames wch prepossed [imag _crossed out_] spectators fancy +to bee the rudiment of the tayle of some goose or duck to bee [expute +_crossed out_] produced from it. some whereof in ye shell & some taken +out & spred upon paper wee shall [still?] keepe by us. + +[Fol. 34.] Stellae marinae[87] or sea starres in great plentie especially +about yarmouth. whether they bee bred out of the [vrticas _crossed out_] +vrticae squalders or sea gellies as many report wee cannot confirme butt +the squalderes in the middle seeme to haue some lines or first draughts +not unlike. our starres exceed not 5 poynts though I haue heard that +some with more haue been found about Hunstanton and Burnham. where are +also found stellae marinae testacae or handsome crusted & brittle sea +[stars _crossed out_] starres much lesse. + + [87] The Five-finger (_Asterias rubens_, L.) is a very numerous + species on our coast and very destructive. Brittle Stars + (_Ophiocoma sp?_) are as Browne states most frequent about + Hunstanton, Burnham, and Cromer. _Solaster papposa_ is also found + in the same localities. + +The pediculus[88] and culex marin us the sea lowse & flie are [are +_crossed out_] also no strangeres. + + [88] The Pediculus, or Sea Louse, is probably _Talitrus locusta_, + the Sand-hopper; what may be intended by _Culex marinus_ it is + difficult to say. A species of gnat is at times very numerous on + the wet sand just above the water-line. _See also_ Notes 110 and + 115, on a kindred subject. + +Physsalus Rondeletij[89] or eruca marina physsaloides according to the +icon of Rondeletius of very orient green & purple bristles. + + [89] The Sea Mouse, _Aphrodite aculeata_. This is referred to again + in the Letters to Merrett. + +Urtica marina[90] of diuers kinds some whereof called squalderes. of a +burning and stinging qualitie if rubbed in the hand. the water thereof +may afford a good cosmetick. + + [90] Mr. E. T. Browne, of the Zoological Laboratory of University + College, London, has kindly furnished me with the following notes + on this subject: "Jonston (1657) gives figures of Anemones and + large _Medusae_ under the name of _Urtica_. On Tab. xviii. he + figures Anemones and other beasts, but not _medusae_. The _medusae_ + are on the next Tab. (xix.). _Urtica marina_ includes both Anemones + and certain Scyphomedusae (not _Pulmo_). Under 'some ... called + Squalders of a burning and stinging quality,' I think Browne must + refer to our common stinging Scyphomedusae belonging to the genus + _Chrysaora_ or _Cyanaea_, of which there are three species. + + "The vague description of what he calls 'sea buttons' [see below, + also second letter to Merrett] would suit either a Medusa or a + Ctenophore. The additional note, 'two small holes in the ends,' + rather upsets matters, but I think he must refer to some sort of + jelly-fish, probably damaged, which is usually the case when cast + up on the shore. If the buttons worn in those days were like + filbert-nuts or eggs, I am inclined to think that the reference + must be to a Ctenophore, genus _Pleurobrachia_, but if flat, then + to one of the _Hydromedusae_. It would be safe to say, 'probably a + kind of jelly-fish,' which is about as vague as the reference." See + also Dr. Reuben Robinson's description of "Squalders" in a letter + to Browne (Wilkin i., pp. 422-424). It seems probable that the + gelatinous masses referred to in the early part of this letter, + which Dr. Robinson says were ascribed by Dr. Charleton to "the + nocturnall pollution of some plethorick or wanton starr: or rather + excrement blowne from the nosthrills of a rheumatick planett," were + the remains of the undeveloped spawn of frogs, the bodies of which + had been eaten by rats, crows, or herons, and which had become + swollen by exposure to moisture. + +[The next paragraph on folio 33 _verso_ is evidently added +subsequently.] + +Another elegant sort that is often found cast up by shoare in great +numbers about ye bignesse of a button cleere & welted & may bee called +fibula marina crystallina. + +hirudines marini or sea Leaches.[91] + + [91] It is difficult to determine the species of marine Annelids + referred to by Browne; the Sea Leech is probably _Pontobdella + laevis_. The "large wormes" digged for bait, mentioned more than + once, are Lug-worms, _Arenicola piscatorum_; the _Vermes in tubulis + testacei_ may be tube-worms of the genus Terrebella, or a species + of Serpula. Tethya or "Sea dugge" (not "Sea dogs," as Wilkin has + it) might very well apply to _Ascidia_ or one of the allied genera. + Simple Ascidians, generally known as Sea-squirts, are common + littoral forms; the animals figured by Rondeletius under the + heading "De Tethyis" (p. 127) are simple Ascidians. The _vesicaria + marina_, or "fanago," might well refer to the egg capsules of the + common Whelk (_Buccinum undatum_), which are very commonly found in + masses on the shore. In his sixth letter to Merrett, Browne + mentions two kinds of "fanago," the first which I take to be the + egg capsules of the Whelk, resembling the "husk of peas;" the + smaller that of "barley when the flower [awn?] is mouldered away," + may possibly be the egg capsules of _Purpura lapillus_, or of some + species of Natica, which bear a fanciful resemblance to grains of + barley. See also Merrett's second letter in Appendix A., in which + he describes the Vesicaria found on oyster-shells as resembling + flowers of _Hyacinthus botryoides_, which is not a bad description + of the form of the egg capsules of _P. lapillus_. + +vermes marini very large wormes digged a yarde deepe out of the sands +at the ebbe for bayt. tis known where they are to bee found by a litle +flat ouer them on ye surface of ye sand. as also vermes in tubulis +testacei. Also Tethya or sea dugges some whereof resemble fritters [and +_crossed out_] the vesicaria marina also & [_see Note 91_] fanago +sometimes very large conceaued to proceed from some testaceous animals. +& particularly [_Fol. 35_] from the purpura butt [in _crossed out_] ours +more probably from other testaceous wee hauing not met with any large +purpura upon this coast. + +[A blank space.] + +Many riuer fishes also and animals. Salmon[92] no co[=m]on fish in our +riuers though many are taken in the owse. in the Bure or north riuer, in +ye waueney or south riuer, in ye [yare or _crossed out_] norwich riuer +butt seldome and in the winter butt 4 yeares ago 15 were taken at +Trowes mill [ab _crossed out_] in Xtmas. whose mouths were stuck with +small wormes or horsleaches no bigger than fine threads some of these I +kept in water 3 moneths if a few drops of blood were putt to the water +they would in a litle time looke red. they sensibly grewe bigger then I +first found them and were killed by an hard froast freezing the water. +most of our Salmons haue a recurued peece of flesh in ye end of the +lower iawe wch when they shutt there mouths deepely enters the upper. as +Scaliger hath noted in some. + + [92] The Salmon (_Salmo salar_) is at the present day very rarely + found in our rivers, and those met with are, as a rule, male Kelts + which have strayed into unsuspected situations after floods; a + singular exception occurred on the 20th May, 1897, when one + weighing 6 lbs. was taken on a fly in the river above Stoke Holy + Cross Mill; this fish is preserved in the Norwich Museum. Another + curious capture of which I heard (but did not see the fish) + occurred on the 1st August, 1898, when a salmon, also of 6 lbs. + weight, jumped into a small boat towed behind a yacht which was + sailing across Breydon Water. That the salmon was at one time a + recognised visitor to our rivers is evident from the following + extract from the Norwich Court of Mayoralty Book under date 2 Novr. + 1667: "It is ordered that the bell man give notice that if any + person shall take any Salmons from the Nativity of our Lady unto + St. Martin's day, or destroy any young Salmons by netts or other + ingens from the midst of April until the Nativity of St. John + Baptist shall be punished according to the law." The Salmon is the + host of several parasites both internal and external. Fresh run + Salmon are generally infested with a "Sea-louse," which quickly + perishes in freshwater; not so, however, with the troublesome + worm-like creature, the subject of Browne's experiments; it is + known as _Lernaea salmonis_, and is only found on the gill-covers of + spent Kelts; it is not got rid of till the fish returns to the salt + water. Browne may be excused being rather sceptical as to the + identity of the clean run Salmon and the spent Kelt, for no greater + contrast can be imagined than that which exists between the + two--the male in the "redding" season develops the unsightly hooked + mandible, which so puzzled the worthy doctor, and both in colour + and form is as hideous an object as can be imagined. Becard + Gallorum (not _Beccard gallorus_), _i.e._, the fish called "Becard" + by the French (see second letter to Merrett), refers to the use of + a name still applied in France to a large Cock Salmon, and + "Anchorago" is the name under which the fish was described by + Scaliger, whose book I have not seen. Dr. Guenther tells me that + Artedi, "Ichthyologia," Pt. v., p. 23, quotes this name as a + synonym of the Salmon. + +The Riuers lakes & broads[93] abound in [the Lucius or _added above_] +pikes of very large size where also is found the Brama or [breme +_crossed out_] Breme large & well tasted the Tinca or Tench the Rubecula +Roach as also Rowds and Dare or Dace perca or pearch great & small. +whereof such [as] are are in Braden on this side yarmouth in the mixed +water [are gen _crossed out_] make a dish very dayntie & I think scarce +to bee bettered in England. butt the Blea[k] [_Fol. 36_] the chubbe the +barbell [I haue not obserued in these riuers _crossed out_] to bee found +in diues other Riuers in England I haue not obserued in these. As also +fewer mennowes then in many other riuers. + + [93] The freshwater fishes named in the next three paragraphs are + so well known as to require few remarks. The Bream in our rivers + and broads are very numerous and reach a large size, but of their + esculent qualities I have had no personal experience; not so, + however, with the Perch, which quite deserve Browne's high + encomium. It is well known here that this fish shows no aversion of + a certain admixture of salt and fresh water, and Mr. Lubbock + ("Fauna of Norfolk") says, "the point in Norfolk rivers where the + largest are taken with most certainty is where water begins to turn + brackish from the influence of the ocean;" in autumn the very + finest are taken by angling with a shrimp, a favourite bait in the + lower parts of the Yare and Waveney. In such localities a small + shrimp (_Hippolyte varians_, Leach) abounds, and it is to this + favourite food that Mr. Lubbock attributes the excellence of these + Perch. Roud is the local name of the Rudd (_Leuciscus + erythropthalmus_). The River Nar is still perhaps the best Trout + stream in the county, and the Crawfish is found in most of the + rivers but not abundantly. + +The Trutta or trout the Gammarus or crawfish [no _crossed out_] butt +scarce in our riuers butt frequently taken in the Bure or north riuer & +in the seuerall branches therof. & very remarkable large crawfishes to +bee found in the riuer wch runnes by castleaker & nerford. + +The Aspredo perca minor[94] and probably the cernua of Cardan co[=m]only +called a Ruffe in great plentie in norwich Riuers & euen in ye streame +of the citty. which though camden appropriates vnto this citty yet they +are also found in the riuers of oxforde [&] Cambridge. + + [94] Merrett calls the Ruff _Cernua fluviatilis_, and mentions its + abundance in the River Yare at Norwich, which he (no doubt + inadvertently) assigns to the County of "Essex"; from this locality + Caius obtained the specimen, a drawing of which he sent to Gesner + under the name of _Aspredo_. Camden assigns this fish also to + Norwich, and Spencer, in his "Marriage of the Thames and Medway," + writes of the Ruff:-- + + "Next cometh Yar, soft washing Norwich walls, + And with him bringeth to their festival + Fish whose like none else can show, + The which men Ruffins call." + + This county seems to have been assigned an exclusive proprietorship + in the Ruff, to which, as Browne rightly points out, it had no just + claim. + +Lampetra Lampries great & small[95] found plentifully in norwich riuer & +euen in the Citty about may [some _crossed out_] whereof some are very +large & well cooked are counted a dayntie bitt collard up butt +especially in pyes. + + [95] Both the Sea Lamprey (_Petromyzon marinus_) and the Lampern + (_P. fluviatilis_) are found in the Norfolk rivers. + +Mustela fluuiatilis or eele poult[96] to bee had in norwich riuer & [in +thalso _crossed out_] between it & yarmouth as also in the riuers of +marshland resembling an eele & a cod. a very good dish & the Liuer +thereof well answers the commendations of the Ancients. + + [96] The Burbot, or Eel Pout (_Lola vulgaris_), called by Merrett a + Coney-fish, from its habit of concealing itself in holes in the + river banks. It is not sufficiently numerous now to form an article + of diet, and I imagine there are few living who could bear + testimony as to the esculent qualities of its "Liuer." + +[_Fol 37._] Godgions or funduli fluuiatiles, many whereof may bee taken +within the [citty _crossed out_] Riuer in the citty: + +Capitones fluuiatilis or millers thumbs, pungitius fluuiatilis or +stanticles. Aphia cobites fluuiatilis or Loches. in norwich riuers in +the runnes about Heueningham heath in the north riuer & streames +thereof. + +Of eeles[97] the co[=m]on eele & the glot wch hath somewhat a different +shape in the bignesse of the head & is affirmed to have yong ones often +found within it. & wee haue found a vterus in the same somewhat +answering the icon thereof in Senesinus. + + [97] The coarse variety of the Eel, known as the "Glout," or + Broad-nosed Eel, is believed to be the barren female; Browne's + informants were doubtless misled by the presence of certain + thread-worms (_Nematoxys_) in the abdomen of the eels, which they + mistook for young ones. + +Carpiones carpes plentifull in ponds & sometimes large ones in broads +[_smear_] 2 the largest I euer beheld were [found _crossed out_] taken +[_added above_] in Norwich Riuer. + +[A whole line is smeared out, and a break occurs in the MS. after the +observation on the Carp; it then proceeds to notice some other +inhabitants of the county which perhaps Browne had difficulty in +classifying.] + +Though the woods and dryelands about [abound?] with adders and +vipers[98] yet are there few snakes about our riuers or meadowes more to +bee found in Marsh land butt ponds & plashes abound in Lizards or +swifts. + + [98] Both Vipers (or Adders) and Snakes, the latter in particular, + are, I imagine, much less abundant than formerly, but the few + species of Lizards and Newts (Swifts) are still probably in + undiminished numbers; the Mole Cricket (_Gryllotalpa vulgaris_) is + rare with us; Horse-leeches (_Aulostoma gulo_) are frequent, and + also "Periwinkles," which I take to be various species of + freshwater Molluscs, possibly of _Limnaea_. The Hard-worm (or + Hair-worm), _Gordius aquaticus_, which refused to be generated from + "horsehayres," is still an object of wonder to the unlearned, and + the Great Black Water-Beetle (_Hydrophilus piceus_) is found; but + _forficula_ and _corculum_ were a puzzle, as it is evident from + their association they must be aquatic forms (and the Earwig + certainly does not take to the water voluntarily), till my friend, + Mr. C. G. Barrett, referred me to the following passage in + Swammerdam's "Book of Nature," p. 93: "This is most certain that + the _Forficula aquatica_ of Jonston is the true nymph of the + Mordella, or Dragon-fly,"[O] Dr. Charleton in his "Onomasticon," p. + 57, has "Corculus, the Water-beetle, resembling an heart;" not very + definite, but probably the Whirligig Beetle, _Gyrinus natator_, is + intended; it is also an appellation given by some authors to "a + small species of cordiformis, or heart-shell, of a rose colour," + doubtless a Cyclas or a Pisidium. Squilla is the Freshwater Shrimp + (_Gammarus pulex_), and _Notonecta glauca_, the Waterboatman "which + swimmeth on its back," is well known. + + Otters are still numerous in the broads and reed-margined rivers, + and so long as these natural fastnesses endure in their present + condition they are likely to continue so. + + [O] On reference to Jonston (_Historiae Naturalis de Insectis_ Lib. + iv., "De Insectis aquaticis" i., p. 189, Tab. xxvii.), I find that + under the name of "_Forficulae aquat[icae]_. M [oufet]," he has two + figures, the first of which is possibly a Dytiscus larva, the + second that of some form of Dragon-fly, which however is + imperfect. + +The Gryllotalpa or fencricket co[=m]on in fenny places butt wee haue met +with them also in dry places dung-hills & church yards of this citty. + +Beside horseleaches & periwinkles in plashes & standing waters we haue +met with vermes setacei or hardwormes butt could neuer conuert +horsehayres into them by laying them in water as also the [_Fol. 38_] +the (_bis_) great Hydrocantharus or black shining water Beetle the +forficula, sqilla, corculum and notonecton that swimmeth on its back. + +Camden [_smear_] reports that in former time there haue been [otters +_crossed out_] Beuers in the Riuer of Cardigan in wales. this wee are to +sure of that the Riuers great Broads & carres afford great store of +otters with us, a [des _crossed out_] great destroyer of fish as feeding +butt from ye vent downewards. [a prey _crossed out_] not free from being +a prey it self for their yong ones haue been found in Buzzards nests. +they are accounted no bad dish by many are to bee made very tame and in +some howses haue [semed _crossed out_] serued for turnespitts. + +[Blank space.] + + NOTE.--Although Browne's account of the Fishes is doubtless + derived from his personal observation, I have found it very + difficult in some families, such as the Cods, Rays, Gurnards, + Flat-fishes, and Gobies to identify them with the species as at + present known; in fact, they were at that time very imperfectly + differentiated, and the figures in the old authors are generally + so inexact as not to be recognisable. Ray, in 1674 ("English + Words not generally known," p. 101), thus writes of the sea + fishes, "several of them, we judge, not yet described by any + Author extant in print: indeed the writers of Natural History of + Animals living far from the Ocean, and so having never had + opportunity of seeing these kind of fishes ... write very + confusedly and obscurely concerning them," a remark which I have + found abundantly verified. + + + + +LETTERS TO MERRETT. + +[MS. SLOANE. 1833. FOL. 14.] + +No. 1. + +"_My father to Dr. Meret July 13, 1668._" + + + Most honourd Sir, + +[_Fol 14._] I take ye boldnesse to salute you as a person of singular +worth & learning and whom I very much respect & honour. I presented my +service to you by my sonne some months past, and had thought before this +time to have done it by him again, but the time of his returne to London +being yet uncertaine, I would not deferre these at present unto you. I +should be very glad to serve you by any observations of mine against yr. +second edition of your Pinax[99] which I cannot sufficiently commende. I +have observed and taken notice of many animals in these parts whereof 3 +years agoe a learned gentleman of this country desired me to give him +some account, which while I was doing ye gentleman my good friend died. +I shall only at this time present and name some few unto you which I +found not in your catalogue. A Trachurus [_see Note 61_] which yearly +cometh before or in ye head of ye herrings called therefore an horse. +Stella marina testacea [_see Note 87_] which I have often found upon the +sea-shoare, an Astacus marinus pediculi marini facie [_see Note 81_] +which is sometimes taken with the lobsters at Cromer in Norfolck. a +pungitius marinus [_see Note 75_] wereof I have known many taken among +weeds by fishers who drag by ye Sea-shoare on this coast. A Scarabaeus +capricornus odoratus[100] which I take to be mentioned by Moufetus fol. +150. I have taken some abroad one in my Seller which I now send he saith +_nucem moschatam et cinamomum vere Spirat_ to me it smelt like roses +santalum & Ambegris. I have thrice met with Mergus maximus Farensis +Clusij, [_see Note 11_] and have a draught thereof. they were taken +about the time of herring fishing at yarmouth one was taken upon the +shoare not able to fly away about ten yeares agoe I sent one to Dr. +Scarborough. Twice I have met with a Skua Hoyeri [_see Note 10_] the +draught whereof I also have. one was shot in a marsh which I gave unto a +gentleman which [_sic_] I can sende you another was killd feeding upon a +dead horse neere a marsh ground. Perusing your catalogue of Plants. upon +Acorus verus,[101] I find these wordes found by Dr. Browne neere Lin. +wherein probably there may be some mistake, for I cannot affirme nor I +doubt any other yt. is found thereabout. Some 25 yeares ago I gave an +account of this plant unto [this _crossed out_] Mr. Goodyeere:[102] & +more lately to Dr. How[103] unto whome I sent some notes and a box full +of the fresh Juli. This elegant plant groweth very plentifully and +beareth its Julus yearly by the bankes of Norwich river [fol. 13 +_verso_] chiefly about Claxton and Surlingham. & also between norwich & +Hellsden bridge so that I have known Heigham Church in the suburbes of +Norwich strowed all over with it, it hath been transplanted and set on +the sides of Marish pondes in severall places of the country where it +thrives and beareth ye Julus yearly. + + [99] It is evident that Merrett was collecting a considerable + amount of materials for an enlarged edition of his _Pinax Rerum + Naturalium Britannicarum_, on behalf of which Browne seems, by this + introductory letter, to have tendered his assistance, but the + contemplated edition, probably for reasons which I have mentioned + elsewhere, never appeared; happily, these rough drafts have been + preserved, although it seems not unlikely that the letters + themselves, should they ever be found, would differ from them in + some respects. + + [100] _Scarabaeus capricornus odoratus._ The Musk Beetle, _Aromia + moschata_, L. + + [101] _Acorus calamus_, the Sweet Flag, is still found in plenty in + various localities in the county, but it does not appear to develop + its curious "julus" every year. It was very abundant at Heigham, a + suburb of Norwich, on the site now occupied by the goods yard of + the Midland and Great Northern Railway, and it was probably from + this spot that the supply was obtained for the purpose of littering + the floor of the old parish church. Mr. Vaux, in his "Church + Folk-Lore," p. 264, says that up to the passing of the Municipal + Reform Bill the Town Clerk of Norwich was accustomed to pay the + sub-sacrist of the cathedral an amount of one guinea for strewing + the floor with rushes on the Mayor's Day. The custom is said to + have been adopted "as well for coolness as for pleasant smell." The + pleasant cinnamon-like scent of the rush, on being trodden on, is + said to have perfumed the whole building. The root was also used as + a remedy in cases of ague, and formed the base of tooth and hair + powders. + + [102] Towards the end of the Introductory Letter to Johnson's + (1636) Edition of Gerard's "Herball," he acknowledges the + assistance he received from Mr. John Goodyer, of Maple-Durham, in + Hampshire. Sir J. E. Smith ("Eng. Flora," iv., p. 34) speaks of him + as "one of the most deserving of our early English Botanists." + Robert Brown named a genus of plants (_Goodyera_) after Goodyer. + + [103] William How, 1620-1656, was the author of "Phytologia + Britannica," Lond., 1650, "the earliest work on botany restricted + to the plants of this island" ("Dic. of Nat. Biog."). He practised + medicine in London. + +Sesamoides Salamanticum Magnum.[104] Why you omit Sesamoides +Salamanticum parvum this groweth not far from Thetford and Brandon and +plentifull in neighbour places where I found it and have it in my hortus +hyemalis answering ye description in Gerard. + + [104] _Sesamoides_ is stated in Ree's Encyclopaedia and in Eng. Fl. + to be a synonym of _Reseda_, therefore _Sesamoides magnum_ would + appear to be _R. luteola_ and _S. parvum_, _R. lutea_. + +Urtica Romana[105] which groweth with button seede bags is not in yr. +catalogue I have founde it to grow wild at [Golston _crossed out_] +Golston by Yarmouth, & transplanted it to other places.[P] + + [105] _Urtica Romana_, which is again referred to as _U. mas_ near + the end of the third letter and as being found at Gorleston, is the + Roman Nettle, _U. pilulifera_. In 1834 the Pagets ("Nat. Hist. of + Great Yarmouth") reported it as still found under old walls at + Gorleston, "but rarer than formerly," and it is only in recent + years that it has been exterminated, owing to building operations + in that locality. + + [P] This letter, evidently a copy as shown by the heading "My + father to Dr. Meret," is in the writing of Dr. Edwd. Browne. + + +[MS. SLOANE 1830. FOL. 39-40.] + +No. II. + +_Fol. 39._] + +"_My second letter to Dr Meret Aug xiiii 1668._" + +Honord Sr I receiued your courteous letter & am sorry some diuersions +have so long delayed this my second vnto you. You are very exact in the +account of the fungi. I have met with two,[106] which I have not found +in any Author, of which I have sent you a rude draught inclosed. The +first an elegant fungus Ligneus found in an hollow sallowe I haue one of +them by mee butt without a very good opportunitie dare not send it +fearing it should bee broken vnto some it seemed to resemble some noble +or princely ornament of the head & so might bee called fungus Regius +vnto others a turret, top of a cupola or Lanterne of a building & so +might bee named fungus pterygoides, pinnacularis or Lanterniformis you +may name it as you please. The second fungus Ligneus teres Antliarum or +fungus ligularis longissimus consisting [of _crossed out_] or made of +many wooddy strings about the bignesse of round poynts or Laces some +about half a yard long shooting in a bushie forme from the trees wch +serue vnderground for pumpes. I have obserued diuers especially in +norwich where wells are sunck deep for pumpes. + + [106] Dr. Plowright informs me that "it is impossible to say with + certainty what the first named Fungus is; the description suggests + some form of Polyporus perhaps, _P. varius,_ which is a ligneous + species and occurs frequently on willows in Norfolk. The second is + the abortive form of _Polyporus squamosus_, which is well figured + by many of the older botanists, for instance under the name of + _Boletus rangiferinus_, by Bolton, t. 138, and _Boletus squamosus_, + var. _rangiferinus_, by Hooker, 'Flora Londinensis,' new series. In + many cases no pileus at all is formed and it used then to be + referred to Clavaria." The Phalloides is _Phallus impudicus_, L., a + very common species in this county and even occurring in some of + the city gardens where its exceedingly offensive odour renders it + very undesirable. Fungus rotundus is the well-known _Lycoperdon + giganteum_, Fr., which sometimes reaches a very large size. + +The fungus phalloides found not farre from norwich large & very fetid +answering the description of Hadrianus junius I have a part of one dryed +by mee. + +Fungus rotundus maior I haue found about x inches in Diameter & half +[_sic_, have?] half a one dryed by mee. + +Another small paper containes the rude draughts of fibulae marinae +pellucidae, [_see Note 90_] or sea buttons a kind of squalder & referring +to vrtica marina which I haue obserued in great numbers by yarmouth +after a flood & easterly winds. They resemble pure crystall buttons +chamfered or welted on the sides with 2 small holes at the ends. They +cannot bee sent for the included water or thinne gelly soon runneth from +them. + +Vrtica marina minor jonstoni [_see Note 90_] I haue often found on this +coast. [Continued on fol. 39 _verso_.] + +Physsalus [_see Note 89_] I haue often found also I haue one dryed but +it hath lost its shape & colour. + +Galei & caniculae [_see Note 56_] are often found I haue a fish hanged up +in my yard of 2 yards long taken among the Herrings at yarmouth which is +the Canis carcharias alius Johnstoni. Tab. vi fig. 6. + +Lupus marinus you mention upon an handsome experiment butt I find it not +in the catalogue. This Lupus marinus or Lycostomus is often taken by our +seamen wch fish for cods I haue had diuers brought mee. they hang up in +many howses in Yarmouth. + +Trutta marina is taken with us--a better dish than the Riuer trowt butt +of the same bignesse. + +Loligo sepia a cuttle page 191 of your Pinax [_see Note 80_] I conceiue +worthy Sr it were best to putt them in 2 distinct lines as distinct +species of the Molles. The loligo, calamare or sleue I haue often found +cast up on the seashoare & some haue been brought mee by fishermen of +aboue [20 _crossed out_] twentie pound wayet. + +Among the fishes of our Norwich riuer wee scarce reckon salmons [_see +Note 92_] yet some are yearly taken. butt all taken in the Riuer or +coast haue the end of the lower jaw very much hooked which enters a +great way into the upper jaw like a socket. you may find the same though +not in figure if you please to read Johnstonus fol 101 I am not +satisfied with the conceit of some authors there that is [it?] is a +difference of male and female for all ours are thus formed. The fish is +thicker than [oth _crossed out_] ordinarie salmons and very much & more +largely spotted whether not rather Beccard gallorum or Anchorago +Scaligeri I haue bothe draught & head of one dryed either of wch you may +command. + +Scyllarus or cancellus in turbine tis probable you have [_see Note 84_]. +haue you cancellus in nerite a small testaceous found upon this coast. + +[_Fol. 40._] Haue you mullus ruber asper [_see Note 63_]. + +Haue [you] piscis octangularis Bivormii?[Q] [_see Note 66_, also pp. 65 +and 87 _infra_]. + + [Q] Thus in the MS., but Browne seems to have intended to write + Bicornis Vormii, and accidentally to have run the two words + together [_see_ p. 41 _supra_]. + +vermes marini larger than earthwormes [_see Note 91_] digged out of the +sea sand about 2 foot deepe at an ebbe water for bayte they are +discouered by a little hole or sinking of the sand at the top aboue +them. + +Haue you that handsome colourd [bird _crossed out_] jay [_see Note 49_] +answering the description of Garrulus Argentoratensis & may be called +the parret jay I haue one that was killed upon a tree about 5 yeares +ago. + +Haue you a may chitt a small dark gray bird [_see Note 29_] about the +bignesse of a stint wch cometh about may & stayeth butt a moneth. a bird +of exceeding fattnesse and accounted a daintie dish. they are +plentifully taken in marshland and about wisbich. + +Haue you a [caprimulgus or _written above_] dorhawke a bird as bigge as +[a] pigeon [_see Note 42_] with a wide throat bill as little as a +titmous & white fethers in the tayle & paned like an hawke. + +Succinum raro occurrit[107] pag 291 of yours. [Should be p. 219] not so +rarely on the coast of norfolk. tis usually found in small peeces [butt +_crossed out_] sometimes in peeces of a pound wayght. I haue one by mee +fat & fayre of x ounces wayght--jet more often found I haue an handsom +peece of xii ounces in wayet. + + [107] Amber, writes Mr. Clement Reid, in a paper contributed by him + to the "Trans. Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc." (iii., p. 601), "is found + on the Norfolk coast, usually mixed with the seaweed thrown up by + the Spring gales," but is very rarely found in place; as much as + three or four pounds are annually gathered near Cromer. The + quality, Mr. Rein says, is very good, but the dark transparent + lumps are most generally found. In a subsequent paper (_op. cit._, + iv., p. 248) he enumerates seven species of insects which have been + found enclosed, and in a third communication mentions an eighth. + Mr. A. S. Ford, as the result of an examination of a collection of + East-coast Amber made at Yarmouth (_op. cit._, v., p. 92), adds one + species of Hymenoptera, three of Coleoptera, two of Orthoptera, + with some Araneida, and remains of vegetable substances which had + not been identified. + + The Jet found on the Norfolk coast differs considerably from the + Whitby Jet, and Mr. Reid, "Geology of the Country Round Cromer" (p. + 133), believes that in all probability it was originally derived + from Lower Tertiary beds under the North Sea, a few miles from the + present coast. Mr. Savin estimates the average annual find of Jet + near Cromer at from ten to twenty pounds. + + The doctor does not display his usual acumen when he rejects the + "ancient" opinion as to the vegetable origin of Amber, see + _Pseudodoxia_, book ii., chap. iv.; also letter from Earl of + Yarmouth to T. B. (Wilkin Edit. i., p. 411). + + +No. III. + +[FOL. 40 _verso_.] + +"_My third letter Sept xiii._" + +Sr I receaued your courteous Letter and with all respects I now agayne +salute you. + +The mola piscis is almost yearely taken on our coast [_see Note 58_] +this [last _crossed out_] year one was taken of about 2 hundred pounds +wayght diuers of them I haue opened & haue found many lyce sticking +close vnto thier gills whereof I send you some. + +In your pinax I find onocrotalus or pellican [_see Note 25_] whether you +meane those at St. James or others brought ouer or such as haue been +taken or killed heere I knowe not. I haue one hangd up in my howse wch +was shott in a fenne ten miles of about 4 yeares ago and because it was +so rare some conjectured it might bee one of those which belonged vnto +the King & flewe away. + +Ciconia raro hue aduolat. I haue seen two [_see Note 14_] one in a +watery marsh 8 miles of, another shott whose case is yet to bee seen. +[See Appendix D.] + +Vitulus marinus. _In tractibus borealibus et Scotia_ [_see Note 53_]. no +raritie upon the coast of Norfolk at a lowe water I haue knowne them +taken asleep vnder the cliffes. diuers haue been brought vnto mee. our +seale is different from the Mediterranean seale. as hauing a rounder +head a shorter and stronger body. + +Rana piscatrix I haue often known taken on our coast & some very large +[_see Note 59_]. + +Xiphias or gladius piscis or sword fish wee haue in our seas [_see Note +55_]. I haue the head of one which was taken not long ago entangled in +the Herring netts the sword aboue 2 foot in length. + +Among the whales you may very well putt in the spermacetus [_see Note +51_] or that remarkably peculiar whale which so aboundeth in spermaceti. +about twelve years ago wee had one cast up on our shoare neer welles wch +I discribed in a peculiar chapter in the last edition of [_Fol. 41_] my +pseudodoxia epidemica. another was diuers yeares before cast up at +Hunstanton. both whose heads are yet to bee seen. + +Ophidion or at least ophidion nostras [_see Note 69_] co[=m]only called +a sting fish hauing a small prickley finne running all along the back, & +another a good way on the belly, with little black spotts at the bottom +of the back finne if the fishermens hands bee touched or scrached with +this venemous fish they grow paynfull and swell the figure hereof I send +you in colours they are co[=m]on about cromer see Schoneveldeus de +Ophidiis. + +Piscis octogonius or octangularis answering the discription of +Cataphractus Schoneveldei [_see Note 66_] only his is discribed with the +finnes spread & when it was fresh taken & a large one howeuer this may +bee nostras I send you one butt I haue seen much larger which fishermen +haue brought mee. + +Physsalus [_see Note 89_]. I send one which hath been long opened & +shrunck & lost the colour when I tooke it upon the sea shoare it was +full & plump answering the figure & discription of Rondeletius. there is +also a like figure at the end of [Rondeletius _crossed out_] muffetus I +haue kept them aliue butt obserued no motion [butt _crossed out_] except +of contraction and dilation when it is fresh the prickles or brisles are +of a brisk green & Amethest colours--some call it a sea mous. + +Our mullet is white & imberbis [_see Note 63_] butt wee haue also a +mullis barbatus ruber miniaceus or cinnaberinus somewhat rough & butt +drye meat. there is of them maior & minor resembling the figures in +Johnstonus tab xvii Rotbart. + +Of the Acus marinus or needle fishes [_see Note 64_] I haue obserued 3 +sorts. The Acus Aristotelis called heere an Addercock Acus maior or +Garfish with a green verdigris backbone the other saurus Acui similis +Acus sauroides or sauriformis as it may be called much answering to the +discription of saurus Rondeletij in the hinder part much resembling a +makerell opening one I found not the backbone green Johnstonus writes +nearest to it in his Acus minor. I send you the head of one dryed butt +the bill is broken I haue the whole draught in picture. this kind is +more rare then the other wch are co[=m]on & is a rounder fish. + +[_Fol. 41 verso._] Vermes marini are large wormes [_see Note 91_] found +2 foot deep in the sea sands & are digged out at an ebbe for bayt. + +The Avicula Maialis or may chitt [_see Note 29_] is a litle dark gray +bird somewhat bigger then a stint which co[=m]eth in may or the later +end of April & stayeth about a moneth. A marsh bird the legges & feet +black without an heele the bill black about 3 quarters of an inch long +they grow very fatt & are accounted a dayntie dish. + +A Dorhawke a bird not full so bigge as a pigeon [_see Note 42_] somewhat +of a woodcock colour & paned somewhat like an hawke with a bill not much +bigger then that of a Titmouse [& very wide throat _added above_] known +by the name of a dorhawke or prayer upon beetles, as though it were some +kind of accipiter muscarius. in brief this accipiter cantharophagus or +dorhawke [_a word smeared out_] is _Avis Rostratula gutturosa_, _quasi +coaxans_, _scarabaeis vescens_, _sub vesperam volans_, _ouum +speciosissim[=u]_ [_word smeared_] _excludens_. I haue had many of them & +am sorry I have not one to send you I spoake to a friend to shoote one +butt I doubt they are gone ouer. + +of the vpupa [_see Note 35_] diuers have been brought mee & some I haue +obserued in these parts as I trauuyled about. + +The Aquila Gesneri I sent [aliue _added above_] to Dr. Scarburg [_see +Note 3_] who told mee it was kept in the colledge it was brought mee out +of Ireland. I kept it 2 yeares in my howse I am sorry I haue only one +fether of it to send you. + +A shooing horn or Barker from the figure of the bill & barking note +[_see Note 38_] a long made bird of white & blakish colour finne footed, +a marsh bird & not rare some times of the yeare in marshland. it may +upon vewe bee called Recuruirostra nostras or Auoseta much resembling +the Auosettae [species _crossed out_] species in Johnstonus tab (54). I +send you the head in picture + +[A _smeared out_] stone curliews I haue kept in large cages [_see Note +37_] the[y] haue a prettie shrill note, not hard to bee got in some +parts of norfolk. + +[_Fol. 42_] Haue you Scorpius marinus Schoneueldei [_see Note 68_] + +haue you putt in the musca Tulipar[=u] muscata[108] + + [108] It seems impossible to identify this insect; _Merodon + narcissi_ has been suggested, but Mr. Verrall, whom I consulted + says, "certainly not _Merodon_, which probably was not known in + Britain until about 1870," and suggests the small fly _Nemopoda_. + Mr. Bloomfield writes that the only fly of which he has seen any + mention as having a musky or "excellent fragrant odour" is _Sepsis + cynipsea_, which Kirby and Spence state on the authority of De + Geer, "emits a fragrant odour of beaum" (balm); this species is + very nearly allied to Nemopoda. Several Bees, for instance the + Genus _Prosopis_, emit a strong scent of balm, and it is possible + that Browne may have used the term "fly" in what is even now a + popular sense, and that really some species of Bee may have called + forth his remarks. It will be noticed that at p. 74 he speaks of it + as a "small beelike flye." + +That bird which I sayd much answered the discription of Garrulus +Argentoratensis [_see Note 49_] I send you it was shott on a tree x +miles of 4 yeares ago. it may well bee called the Parret Jay or Garrulus +psittacoides speciosus. the colours are much faded. if you haue it +before I should bee content to haue it agayne otherwise you may please +to keep it. + +Garrulus Bohemicus[109] probably you haue a prettie handsome bird with +the fine cinnaberin tipps of the wings some wch I haue seen heere haue +the tayle tipt with yellowe wch is not in the discription. + + [109] Mr. Stevenson, whom very little relating to Norfolk + Ornithology escaped, was well acquainted with Sir Thomas Browne's + works, yet has in his "Birds of Norfolk" unaccountably overlooked + this passage, and remarks that Browne does not appear to have + noticed this species; he however not only refers to it as above, + but evidently describes it from his personal observation. It is a + very uncertain winter visitor to this county, but on rare occasions + makes its appearance in considerable flocks. A remarkable instance + of this occurred in the winter of 1866-7, when Mr. Stevenson, as + the result of the examination of a very large series, contributed + an exhaustive paper on the plumage of this handsome bird to the + "Transactions of the Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc.," iii., pp. 326-344. + +I haue also sent you urtica mas [_see Note 105_] which I lately gathered +at Golston by yarmouth where I found it to growe also 25 yeares ago. of +the stella marina Testacea which I sent you [_see Note 87_] I do not +find the figure in any booke. + +I send you a few flies[110] which some unhealthful yeares about the +first part of september I haue obserued so numerous upon plashes in the +marshes & marish diches that in a small compasse it were no hard matter +to gather a peck of them I brought some what my box would hold butt the +greatest part are scatterd lost or giuen away for memorie sake I writ on +my box muscae palustres Autumnales [See Appendix D.] + + [110] Mr. Verrall assures me that even in the present day it is + quite impossible to recognise the species of Diptera described by + persons unacquainted with the particular group, and that Browne's + remarks would apply to hundreds of species. It is possible that an + _Ephydra_ may be meant. This genus of small flies, says Mr. + Verrall, abounds in such places as Browne describes, but it is + likely that other species were with them. + +worthy Sr I shall be euer redie to serue you who am Sr your humble +Seruant + + THO BROWNE. + + _Norwich, Sep 16. 1668._ + + +No. IV. + +"_The fourth Letter to Dr. Merrett Decemb xxix._" [1668] + +[_Fol. 42 verso._] Sr I am very joyfull that you haue recouered your +health whereof I heartily wish the continuation for your own and the +publick good. And I humbly thank you for the courteous present of your +booke.[111] with much delight and satisfaction I had read the same not +once in English I must needs acknowledge your co[=m]ent more acceptable +to me then the text which I am sure is an hard obscure peice without it. +though I haue not been a stranger unto the vitriarie Art both in England +and abroad. + + [111] This evidently refers to the gift of a copy of Merrett's + Latin translation of Antonio Neri's _L'Arte Vetraria_ (Firenze, + 1612, 4to), published under the title of "The Art of Glass, + translated into English with some observations on the Author," &c., + in 1662, and a Latin edition in 1668. + +I perceiue you haue proceeded farre in your Pinax. These few at present +I am bold to propose & hint unto you intending God willing to salute you +agayne. + +A paragraph might probably be annexed unto Quercus. Though wee haue not +all the exotick oakes, nor their excretions yet these and probably more +supercrescences productions or excretions may bee obserued in England. + + Viscum--polypodium--Juli pilulae-- + Gemmae foraminatae [formicatae?] folior[=u]-- + excrement[=u] fungosum verticibus scatens-- + Excrementum Lanatum-- + Capitula squamosa jacaeae aemula. + Nodi--melleus Liquor--Tubera radicum + vermibus scatentia--Muscus--Lichen-- + Fungus--varae quercinae.[112] + + [112] The Rev. E. N. Bloomfield has most kindly assisted me in + attempting to identify the Parasitic products of the Oak mentioned + above: + + _Viscum_, is doubtless the Mistletoe. + + _Polypodium_, the Common Polypody Fern. + + _Juli pilulae_: "little balls on the flower catkins." The Currant + Gall, _Neurosterus baccarum_, which is the spring form of _N. + lenticularis_; Oliv. + + _Gemmae foraminatae [formicatae?] foliorum_: "pimple-like buds on the + leaves." Leaf-galls, such as the Silky Button, _N. numismatis_, + Oliv., and the common Spangle, _N. lenticularus_, Oliv. + + _Excrementum fungosum verticibus scatens_: "a spongy secretion + bursting out from the ends of the shoots." The Oak Apple, _Biorhiza + terminalis_, Fab. + + _Excrementum lanatum_: the Woolly Gall, _Andricus ramuli_, L., a + somewhat rare Gall, resembling a ball of cotton-wool. + + _Capitula squamosa jacaeae aemula_: "little scaley (or imbricated) + heads resembling the heads of Jacea" (Black Knapweed). The + Artichoke Gall. _Andricus fecundatrix_; Htg. + + _Nodi_: probably swellings of any sort, whether caused by insects + or not. + + _Melleus liquor_: Honey-dew, a secretion of Aphides. + + _Tubera radicum vermibus scatentia_: "swollen tubers on the roots + containing grubs;" without doubt the Root-Gall, _Andricus radicis_, + Fab. Polythalamous Galls, often very large at the roots or on the + trunk near the ground. + + Mosses, Lichens, and Fungi, all "genuine products of the Oak," need + no comment, but Mr. Bloomfield remarks, "How wonderfully observant + Sir Thomas Browne must have been thus to distinguish the various + galls, &c., and to point them out so distinctly." + + Browne's contemporary, Dean Wren, seems sadly to have misunderstood + the fructification of the Oak. In a note on Browne's remarks on the + "Miseltoe" (_Pseudodoxia_, book ii., chap. vi.), he says, + "Arboreous excrescences of the Oak are soe many as may raise the + greatest wonder. Besides the gall, which is his proper fruite, hee + shootes out oakerns, i.e., _ut nunc vocamus_ (acornes), and oakes + apples, and polypodye, and moss; five several sorts of + excrescences." See also letter to his son, Dr. Edward Browne, in + which Sir Thomas Browne says that "wee haue little or none of + _viscus quercinus_, or miselto of the oake, in this country; butt I + beleeve they have in the woods and parks of Oxfordshyre."--Wilkin, + i, p. 279. + +[_Fol. 43._] Capillaris marina sparsa fucus capillaris marinus sparsus +sive capillitius marinus or sea periwigge.[113] strings of this are +often found on the sea shoare. but this is the full figure I haue seen 3 +times as large. + + [113] In Sir Thomas Browne's time the Hydrozoa were not + distinguished from the Corallines, and both were regarded as + vegetable growths. It is almost impossible to determine from his + vague descriptions even to which section those mentioned belong, + but although our exposed coast-line is not favourable to such + growths, there are a few common species of Hydroid Zoophytes which + abound here, and to these, fortunately, Browne's specimens appear + to belong. What he calls the "Sea-perriwig" is doubtless + _Sertularia operculata_, Lin., sometimes known as "Sea-hair," a + very common and widely dispersed species. + +I send you also [_several words smeared out_] a little elegant sea +plant[114] which I pulled from a greater bush thereof which I haue +resembling the back bone of a fish. Fucus marinus vertebratus pisciculi +spinum referens Icthyorachius or what you thinck fitt. + + [114] The little "Fucus," which he compares to the backbone of a + fish, is probably _Halecium halecinum_, Lin., the "Herring-bone + Coral" of Ellis, one of the most common Zoophytes on our coast. The + "Abies," of which he suggests at p. 75 that this may be a + "difference," is most likely _Sertularia abietina_, Lin., which + this species resembles, but is less regularly pinnate; this may + have led him to suppose that the "sprouts, wings, or leaves" may + have fallen off. The _Fucus marinus_ is most likely _Fucus + serratus_. + +And though perhaps it bee not worth the taking notice of formicae +arenariae marinae or at least muscus formicarius marinus[115] yet I +obserue great numbers by the seashoare and at yarmouth an open sandy +coast, in a sunny day many large and winged ones may bee obserued upon & +rising out of the [shoare _crossed out_] wet sands when the tide falls +away. + + [115] Swarms of Ants and Flies are no uncommon sight along the + seashore at certain seasons of the year, and under the conditions + which Browne describes. The Pagets ("Nat. Hist. of Great Yarmouth") + mention that the fly, _Actora aestuum_, is common on the beach at + high-water mark; but Mr. Verrall writes me that there are many + others likely to be thus met with, such as _Orygma luctuosa_ and + _Limosina zosterae_, widely divergent species. In his "Journal of a + Tour" into Derbyshire, Dr. Edward Browne, in crossing the sands of + the Wash, mentions his satisfaction at the absence of the swarms of + flies "with which all the fenne countrys are extremely pestered." + _See also Note 110 supra._ + +Notonecton an insect that swimmeth on its back [_see Note 98_] & +mentioned by Muffettus may be obserued with us. + +I send you a white Reed chock[116] by name some kind of Junco or litle +sort thereof I haue had another very white when fresh. + + [116] It is impossible to form an idea as to what is here intended. + I know of no _Juncus_ which would answer the description. Professor + Newton reminds me__ that "Junco" was a common name for "a bird that + inhabited reeds," and was loosely applied, some old authors taking + it to be the Reed Thrush (_i.e._, the Great Reed-Warbler of these + days), and others, the Reed-Sparrow or Bunting. But bearing in mind + Browne's practice of referring to Jonston, it seems possible that + the latter's _Junco_ may be here intended, and that, as the figure + (pl. 53) shows, is a small Sandpiper, almost certainly the Dunlin. + It is lettered "Junco Bellonii," but this he must have taken + second-hand from Aldrovandus, since Belon never used the word + "Junco" in this connexion, but called it "Schoeniclus" or + "Alouette-de-mer"--terms rendered _Junco_ by Aldrovandus (iii. p. + 487). Charleton took the same view in his "Onomasticon" (p. 108), + published in 1668 (the year assigned as that of this letter), + stating that it was so-called because "in juncis libenter degat," + and identifying it with the _Alouette-de-mer_ of the French, and + the English "Stint, or Sparr, or Perr." Gilbert White appears to + have thus applied the term (_cf._ "Life" by Rashleigh Holt-White, + i. pp. 186, 194, 250). In one place he says, "No. five is Ray's + _Junco_ and the _Turdus arundinaceus_ of Linn." That "Junco" is the + name of a bird is absolutely certain, but the context, "very white + when fresh," does not seem to admit of explanation. + +Also the draught of a sea fowle called a sherewater [_see Note 17_] +billed like a cormorant, feirce & snapping like it upon any touch. I +kept 2 of them aliue 5 weekes cramming them with fish refusing of +themselues to feed on anything & wearied with cramming them they liued +17 dayes without food. They often fly about fishing [ves _crossed out_] +shipps when they cleans their fish & throwe away the offell. so that it +may bee referred to the Lari as Larus niger gutture albido rostro +adunco. + +Gossander videtur esse puphini species [_Pinax_, p. 184]. worthy Sr that +wch we call a gossander [_see Note 19_] & is no rare fowle among us is a +large well colourd & marked diuing fowle most answering the [mer +_crossed out_] Merganser. it may bee like the puffin in fattnesse and +[Ranknesse _crossed out_] Ranknesse butt no fowle is I think like the +puffin differenced from all others by a peculiar kind of bill + +[_Fol 43 verso._] Barganders [_see Note 18_] not so rare as Turn +[Turner] makes them co[=m]on in Norfolk so abounding in vast & spatious +warrens. + +If you haue not yet putt in Larus minor or a sterne [_see Note 13_] it +would not bee omitted, co[=m]on about broad waters and plashes not +farre from the sea. + +Haue you a Yarwhelp, Barker, or Latrator [_see Note 39_] a marsh bird +about the bignesse of a Godwitt + +Haue you Dentalia [_see Note 83_] which are small vniualue testacea +whereof sometimes wee find some on the seashoare + +Haue you putt in nerites another little Testaceum which wee haue [_see +Note 83_]. + +Haue you an Apiaster a small bird calld a Beebird.[117] + + [117] Probably the Spotted Flycatcher is here referred to, the + prefix not being used in a technical sense; it is known here as the + Beam-bird, either of which names may be a corruption of the other. + Another Norfolk name for this bird is the Wall-bird. + +Haue you morinellus marinus or the sea Dotterell better colourd then the +other & somewhat lesse [_see Note 28_]. + +I send you a draught of 2 small birds the bigger called a Chipper or +Betulae Carptor [_see Note 48_] cropping the first sproutings of the +Birch trees & comes early in the spring. The other a very small bird +lesse than the certhya or ox eyecreeper called a whinne bird + +I send you the draught of a fish taken sometimes in our seas [_see Note +69_]. pray compare it with Draco minor Johnstoni. this draught was taken +from the fish dried & so the prickly finnes less discernible. + +There is a very small kind of smelt [_see Note 71_] butt in shape & +smell like the other taken in good plenty about [wh _crossed out_] Lynne +& called Primmes. + +Though Scombri Or Makerells [_see Note 73_] bee a co[=m]on fish yet [in +_crossed out_] our seas afford sometimes strange & large ones as I haue +heard from fishermen & others. & this yeare 1668 one was taken at +Lestoffe an ell long by measure & presented to a Gentleman a friend of +myne. + +Musca Tuliparum moschata is a small beelike flye [_see Note 108_] of an +excellent fragrant odour which I haue often found at the bottom of the +flowers of Tuleps. + +[_Fol. 44._] In the little box I send a peece of vesicaria or seminaria +marina [yo _crossed out_] cutt of from a good full one found on the sea +shoare [_see Note 91_]. + +Wee haue [_two or three words smeared out here_] also an eiectment of +the sea very co[=m]on which is fanago [_see Note 91_] whereof some very +large. + +I thank you for communicating the account of Thunder & lightening some +strange effects thereof I haue found heere butt this last yeere wee had +litle or no Thunder & lightening. [_No signature._] + + +No. V. + +DR. BROWNE TO MERRETT. + + [This letter which was originally printed in the "Posthumous + Works," will be found in MS. Sloane 1911-13, fol. 106, where it + is headed in pencil as addressed to Sir Wm. Dugdale, but it was + restored to its proper place by Wilkin in the 1836 Edition of + the Works, i., p. 404.] + + Honoured Sir + +[_Fol. 106._] I am sorry I have had [diuersions _above_] of such +necessitie, as to hinder my more sudden salute since I receiued your +last. I thank you for the sight of the _Sperma Ceti_, and such kind of +effects from [Lightning & Thunder _written above_] I have known and +about 4 yeares ago about this towne when I with many others saw +fire-balls fly & go of when they met with resistance, and one carried +away the tiles and boards of a leucomb Window of my owne howse, being +higher then the neighbour howses & breaking agaynst it with a report +like a good canon. I set downe that occurrence in this citty & country, +& haue it somewhere [in _crossed out_] amongst my papers, and fragments +of a woman's hat that was shiuered into pieces of the bignesse of a +groat. I haue still by mee a little of the spermaceti of our whale, as +also the oyle & balsome wch I made with the oyle & spermaceti. Our whale +was worth 500 lib. my Apothecarie got about fiftie pounds in one sale of +a quantitie of sperm [_see Note 51_]. + +I made enumeration of the excretions of the oake which might bee +obserued in england [_see Note 112_], because I conceived they would bee +most obseruable if you set them downe together, not minding whether +there were any addition by excrementum fungosum vermiculis scatens I +only meant an vsuall excretion, soft & fungous at first & pale & +sometimes couered in part with a fresh red growing close vnto the +sprouts. first full of maggots in little woodden cells which afterwards +turne into little reddish browne or bay flies. of the tubera indica +vermiculis scatentia I send you a peece, they are as bigg as good +Tennis-balls & ligneous. + +The little elegant fucus [_see Note 114_] may come in as a difference of +the abies, being somewhat like it, as also unto the 4 corrallium in +Gerard of the sprouts whereof I could never find any sprouts wings Or +leaves as in the abies whether fallen of I knowe not, though I call'd it +icthyorachius or pisciculi spinam referens yet pray do you call it how +you please I send you now the figure of a quercus mar. [inus] or alga +which I found by the seashoare differing from the co[=m]on [_see Note +114_] as being denticulated & in one place there seemes to bee the +beginning of some flower pod or seedvessell. + +[_Fol 106. verso._] A draught of the morinellus marinus or sea doterell I +now send you. the bill should not have been so black & the leggs more +red, [_see Note 28_] & [the _crossed out_] a greater eye of dark red in +the feathers of wing and back: it is lesse & differently colourd from +the co[=m]on dotterell, wch [wee haue _crossed out_] cometh to us about +March & September. these sea-dotterells are often shot near the sea. + +A yarewhelp or barker [_some words smeared out_] [_see Note 39_] a +marsh-bird the bill 2 inches long the legges about that length the bird +of a brown or russet colour. + +That which is knowne by the name of a bee-bird [_see Note 117_] is a +litle dark gray bird I hope to get one for you. + +That whch I call'd a betulae carptor & should rather have calld it Alni +carptor [_see Note 48_] whereof I sent a rude draught. it feeds upon +alder [budds mucaments or _written above_] seeds which grow plentifully +heere & they fly in little flocks. + +That [calld by some a _written above_] whin-bird is a kind of ox eye +butt the shining yellow spot on the back of the head [_see Note 48_] is +scarce to bee well imitated by a pensill. + +I confess for such litle birds I am much unsatisfied on the names giuen +to many by countrymen, and vncertaine what to giue them myself, or to +what classes of authors cleerly to reduce them. surely there are many +found among us whch are not described; & therefore such whch you cannot +well reduce may (if at all) bee set downe after the exacter nomination +of small birds as yet of uncertain classe or knowledge. + +I present you with a draught of a water-fowl not co[=m]on & none of our +fowlers can name it [_see_ p. 79 _infra_] the bill could not bee exactly +expressed by a coale or black chalk, whereby the litle incuruitie [at +the end _written above_] of the upper bill & small recurvitie of the +lower is not discerned. the wings are very short, & it is finne footed. +the bill is strong & sharp, if you name it not I am uncertaine what to +call it pray consider this Anatula or mergulus melanoleucus rostro +acuto. + +[_Fol. 107._] I send you also the heads of mustela or mergus mustelaris +mas. et faemina [_see Note 21_] called a wesel from some resemblance in +the head especially of the female wch is brown or russet not black & +white like the male. & from their praying quality upon small fish. I +have found small eeles small perches & small muscles in their stomacks. +Have you a sea phaysant [_see Note 22_] so co[=m]only calld from +resemblance of an hen phaisant in the head & eyes & spotted marks on the +wings & back. & wth a small bluish flat bill, tayle longer than other +ducks, long winges crossing over the tayle like those of a long winged +hawke. + +Have you taken notice of a breed of porci solidi pedes.[118] I first +obserued them above xx yeares ago & they are still among us. [See also +p. 80 _infra_.] + + [118] Mr. Darwin writes ("Anim. and Plants under Domestication," + i., p. 78), that from the time of Aristotle to the present day, + Solid-hoofed Swine have been occasionally observed in various parts + of the world. Dr. Coues also says that this variety seems to be + persistent in a Texas breed. See also Professor Struthers in the + "Edin. New Phil. Journal," April, 1863. The two distal phalanges of + the two great toes, both front and back, in the examples described + by Professor Struthers, were joined together, forming a single + hoof-bearing bone. The next two phalanges were separate, and + sometimes kept widely apart from each other by the introduction of + a special ossicle. I have been told that about the year 1827, a + breed of solid-footed swine existed at or near Upwell. By some it + was thought that their flesh was not good for food because they + were "uncloven." Dr. Wren, in a note to Browne's _Pseudodoxia_ + (book vi., chap. x.), says, "About Aug., 1625, at a farm 4 miles + from Winchester, I beheld with wonder a great heard of swine, + whole-footed, and taller than any other that ever I sawe." + +Our nerites or neritae are litle ones [_see Note 83_]. + +I queried whether you had dentalia [_see Note 83_] becaus probably you +might haue met with them in england. I neuer found any on our shoare +butt one brought mee a few small ones with smooth with [_sic_] small +shells from the shoare. I shall inquire further after them. + +Urtica marina minor Johnst. tab. xviii. [_see Note 90_] haue found more +than once by the sea side. + +The hobby and the merlin would not bee omitted among hawkes the first +coming to us in the spring the other about the autumn. Beside the ospray +wee have a larger kind of agle, calld an erne [_see Note 3_]. I haue had +many of them. + +Worthy deare Sr, if I can do anything farther wch may bee seruiceable +unto you you shall ever readily co[=m]and my endeauours; who am, Sr, +Your humble & very respectfull seruant, + + THO. BROWNE. + + _Febr 6 [1668-9.]_ + _Norwich._ + + +No. VI. + +[MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. MS. SLOANE 1847, FOL. 198.] + + [This volume contains a Miscellaneous collection, mostly letters + to his son Edward, and some to "Tom." The following (as all in + the volume) is on letter-sized paper, 7-1/2 x 6 in.] + + Worthy Sr + +[_Fol. 198._] Though I writ vnto you last monday. yet hauing omitted +some few things wch I thought to have mentioned I am bold to giue you +this trouble so soone agayne haue you putt in a sea fish calld a bleak +[_see Note 74_] a fish like an herring often taken with us and eat butt +a more lanck & thinne & drye fish. + +The wild swanne or elk [_see Note 8_] would not bee omitted, [here +_crossed out_] being co[=m]on in hard winters & differenced from [the +_crossed out_] our River swanns by the Aspera Arteria. [See also pp. 80 +and 83 _infra_.] + +Fulica and cotta Anglorum [_see Note 23_] are different birds though +good resemblance between them, so some doubt may bee made whether it bee +to bee made a coote except you set it downe fulica nostras. & cotta +Anglorum I pray consider whether that waterbird whose draught I sent in +the last box & thought it might bee named Anatula or mergulus +melanoleucos may not bee some gallinula. it hath some resemblance with +gallina hypoleucos of Johnst Tab 32 [31] butt myne hath shorter wings by +much & the bill not so long [_Fol. 198 verso_] & slender & shorter leggs +& lesser & so may ether be calld gallina Aquatica hypoleucos nostras or +hypoleucos or melanoleucos Anatula or mergulus nostras.[119] + + [119] The "draught" of this bird sent to Merrett is not + forthcoming. Professor Newton has been kind enough to send me the + following note on this puzzling passage. "Jonston's figure (tab. + 31) of _Gallina hypoleucos_, to which Browne says it bore some + resemblance, undoubtedly represents what we know as the Common + Sandpiper, _Totanus hypoleucus_ or _Actitis hypoleuca_, the + _Fysterlin_ of the Germans of Jonston's time (p. 160), and + _Fisterlein_ or _Pfisterlein_ of modern days. But there seems to be + some strange confusion that cannot now be cleared, between this + bird and Browne's _Anatula_ or _Mergulus melanoleucos_ [_see_ p. 76 + _ante_], of which some years later, he sent a drawing, under the + latter name, to Willughby, in whose work it is described and + figured (Lat. Ed. p. 261, Engl. 343, tab. lix.), for this most + certainly is the Rotche or Little Auk, _Mergulus alle_ of modern + ornithology." In the next letter (p. 81), Browne mentions that he + encloses the draft of "Ralla aquatica" here referred to. + +Tis much there should be no Icon of Rallus or Ralla Aquatica I haue a +draught of one & they are found among us + + Feb xii 1668. + +The vesicaria I sent is like that you mention [_see Note 91_] if not the +same the co[=m]on fanago resembleth the husk of peas this of [Part +_crossed out_] Barly when the flower is mouldred away. [See also p. 89 +_infra_, where Merrett aptly compares the latter to the flowers of the +Grape Hyacinth.] + + +No. VII. + +[BIBLIOTHECA BODLEIANA. MS. RAWLINSON D. cviii. SR THO BROWN TO DR. +MERRETT.] + +[_Fol. 105._] Sr I craue your pardon for this delayed returne unto your +last, whose courteus acceptance & worthy entertaynment [?] deserued [a +speed _blotted out_] even a speedier reply. The small plant may fitly +come in among the corallines upon the [diff _crossed out_] account of +articulation Icthyorachius [_see Note 114_] I think will bee a good +Diference [?]. whether you will subexpand [?] the word I referre it to +yourself. certhia may best bee vertice aureo [_word blotted out_] or +vertice aureo penicello vix imitando. morinellus marinus [_see Note 28_] +I think rather then Aquaticus becuse it is seen most about the sea +coast. Anas alis oculatis[120] rather then Anser for it is not +altogether so longe as a wild duck. of porci solidipedes [_see Note +118_] there are still in this country in some places. and I am promised +a pigge by a Gentleman that hath still a boar and sow of that kind. I +tooke notice of them 26 years ago & having not lately [met with _crossed +out_] met with any thought the race had been worne out butt I perceue it +is not--they are whole footed in the forfeet & have [only _crossed out_] +a seame only in the hinder. so they are animalia duplici nomine +i[=m]unda. The wild swans or elk [_see Note 8_] in [very _crossed out_] +lasting cold winters are most plentifull. It is larger then the River +swan somewhat gray & of a lowder note & [differenced call _crossed +out_] a recuruation of the Aspera arteria in the sternon as I noted in +the margin long agoe in vulgar errors. the blicca marina [_see Note 74_] +may well be named Harengiformis. [_several words smeared out_] I have +the draught of that an Herring & a pilcher in one paper upon that +account [Fol. 104 _verso_] I belieue [?] you were well informd of the +cotta [_see_ p. 79] & fulica of our Ralla Aquatica I enclose a draught. + + [120] Possibly the Pintail, _Dafila acuta_ (Linn.), _see_ p. 77. + +Of porci solidipedes there are diuers still in the country in some +places I am promised a pigge by a friend who cherisheth that [new +_crossed out_] breed. I tooke notice of them 26 yeares ago, & hauing not +lately minded them thought they had been worn out butt I perceiue they +are not--some are more plainly wholefooted then others & especially in +the fore feet & in the rest there is no thorough fissure butt at most a +superficiall seame, so they are [No. 3 cap 27 _above_] Quadrupedia +duplici nomine i[=m]unda. + +[This last paragraph seems to have been written by way of emendation of +what appears above on the same subject. A photograph of a portion of the +above letter will, by the courtesy of the Bodleian Librarian, be found +as a frontispiece to this volume. Mr. Jenkinson, the Librarian of the +University of Cambridge, and through him, Mr. G. F. Warner and Mr. +Kenyon, of the Department of Manuscripts of the British Museum, have +kindly interested themselves in the transcript of this letter, which was +very difficult to decipher.] + + +No. VIII. + +BIBLIOTHECA BODLEIANA (MS. RAWL. D. cviii.) + + [Draft of a letter from Sir Thomas Browne, described in the + Catalogue of the Rawlinson MSS. as to the Secretary of the Royal + Society, but from its contents evidently written to Merrett, + whose letter, dated 8th May, 1669, is in part a reply to it.] + +[_Fol 58._] Honord Sr I humbly thank you for your care of my sonnes +paper & the Royll Societie for their acceptance of it. If hee bee in +health I knowe hee is mindfull of their co[=m]ands receiued aboue 2 +months ago by a letter from Mr. Oldenburg.[121] I haue not heard from +him of late the last I receiued was from Komorn[R] in Lower Hungary and +hee was then going to the mine countryes. I think the Rowd may bee calld +Rutilus ventre magis compresso[122] w^{ch} is the first discoverable +difference to the eye. The weazelling [_see Note 60_] is as you see in +the draught a long fish figura ad teretem vergente. somewhat of the +shape butt differing in the head from the _mustela viuipara_ of +Schoneueld. butt not lozenged on the back though the back bee much +darker then the other parts. I send you the figure of the head of a +cristated wild duck. it is black blackish [_sic_] in the greater part of +the body some white on the brest & wings blewish legges & bill & seems +to bee of the Latirostrous tribe perhaps you haue it not. it may bee +called _Anas macrolophos_ [Fol. 59] as excelling in that kind.[123] +there is also a draught of one sort of _mergus cristatus_ resembling +that of Aldrovandus or Johnstonus where there is only the figure of the +head only this is also ruffus butt the head sad red.[124] wee haue a +kind of teale which some fowlers call crackling teale from the noyse it +maketh[125] it is almost of the bignesse of a duck coming late of the +yeare & latest going away hath a russet head & neck with a dark yellow +stroak about a quarter of an inch broad from the crowne to the bill +winged like a teale a white streake through the middle of the wings and +edges thereof the tale blackish. it may be calld Querquedula maior +serotina. I send you the figure in litle of a pristis[126] w^{ch} I +receaued from a yarmouth seaman. you may please to compare it w^{th} +yours. the asper you mention is much like our Rough or Aspredo. + + [121] Henry Oldenburg (1615-1677) was born at Bremen. Came to + England about 1640, where he remained eight years. In 1653 he was + sent to England from Bremen on a diplomatic mission to Cromwell. He + returned to England a third time in 1660. He was an original Member + of the Royal Society, and became one of its first Secretaries. A + half-length portrait is in the possession of the Royal Society. + + [R] A well-known town on the Danube, forty-seven miles west of + Buda-Pesth, probably the Comorra of E. Browne's letter to his + father, _cf._ Wilkin, i., p. 159. + + [122] The Rudd (_Leuciscus erythrophthalmus_, Will.) is known in + Norfolk as the Roud. Browne seems to treat it as a variety of the + Roach (_Rutilus_, Willugh.), and Merrett in his second letter + remarks with approval "you have very well named the Rutilus." + + [123] _Fuligula cristata_ (Linnaeus), the Tufted Duck. + + [124] Professor Newton suggests that Browne intended to write + _Mergus cirratus_. Aldrovandus figures the head, iii., p. 283, and + that of _M. longirostris_ in the preceding page. This last is + copied by Jonston (fol. 47). Both birds seem to be female or + immature Goosanders. Neither author has a _M. cristatus_. + + [125] The above description certainly applies to the Common Teal, + which was well-known to Browne (_vide supra_, p. 14), and that + species is with us all the year; I cannot help thinking, however, + that he had in his mind the Garganey, or Summer Teal, so called + from the season of its visit to us. This species is known to the + Norfolk gunners as the "Cricket Teal," and being slightly larger + than the common species it might well be called by him + "_Querquedula major serotina_." + + [126] _See Note 55_, p. 36. It will be noticed that both this and + the _Centriscus_ mentioned at p. 41 were given to Browne by a + "seaman of these seas," but may possibly have been brought home as + curiosities from a foreign voyage; the Saw-fish, however, mentioned + at p. 36, is distinctly stated to have been "taken about Lynn." It + is a matter of intense regret that the numerous drawings mentioned + in these letters should have been lost. + +I forgot in my last to signifie that an oter [an other?] Elk or wild +swan was headed like a goose that is without any knobb at the bottome of +the bill. [_See_ p. 80 and _Note 8_.] + +Haue you had the duck called Clangula in Ald. [drovandus] & Johnst.[127] +wee haue one heere w^{ch} answereth their descriptions exactly butt +[_i.e._, except] only in the colour of their leggs & feet. + + [127] Aldrovandus's figure of "Clangula" (head only, iii., p. 224) + is too indefinite for determination. He says the feet are yellow, + but Jonston, who refers to it under the name of _Anas platyrhincus_ + describes it fairly well (p. 145). _Clangula ab alarum clangore_, + Aldrov., _i.e._, "Rattlewings," an old name by which the Golden-eye + was known to the Norfolk gunners. + +Haue you a willock a sea fowl like a rook or crowe.[128] + + [128] A local name for the Guillemot. Merrett says, in a letter + dated 8th May, 1669, "The Clangula I know no more of than reading + hath informed mee; [_see Note 127_] a willock I have seen brought + from Greenland,[S] where they are said exceedingly to abound, but + never thought either of them was found in England, and having not + taken sufficient notice of the latter, crave your description of + both." + + [S] The Greenland of those days was Spitsbergen, where they would + be met with by the Whalers, but in that case the bird would be + Bruennich's Guillemot, a species not then differentiated. + + +No. IX. + +[MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. MS. SLOANE 1847, FOL. 182.] + +[_Fol. 182._] Sr I craue your pardon that I haue no sooner sent unto +you. I shall be very reddie to do you service in order to your desires +And shall endeavour to procure you such animalls as I haue formerly met +with & any other not ordinary wch [shall _crossed out_] are to bee +acquired. though many of my old assistants are dead. & sometimes they +fell upon animalls, [not to bee _crossed out_] scarce to bee met with +agayne. I wish I had been acquainted with your desires 3 yeares ago. for +I had about fortie hanging up in my howse. wch the plague being at the +next doores the person intrusted in my howse, burnt or threw away. The +figure of the weasell Cray [_see Note 60_ and p. 82] was in a long paper +pasted together at the ends & I make no question you will find it +otherwise I would send another [the willick wee in _crossed out_] that +fowl wch some call willick, [_see Note 128_] wee meet with sometimes. +The last I met with was taken on the sea shoare. the head and body black +the brest inclining to black headed and billd like a crowe, leggs set +very backward wings short leggs set very backward (_sic_) that it move +overland very badly only. it may bee a kind of cornix marina. [The +latter portion very badly written and difficult to decipher.] + +[_Fol. 184 verso._] That litle plant upon oyster shells [_see Note 91_] +I remember I haue seen & surely is some kind of vescaria or calicularia + +of what that other [was _crossed out_] electricall body was Mr. +Boyle[129] showed [_smear_] by this time more tryall hath probably been +made, something of jet it might consist of. + + [129] The Hon. Robert Boyle (1627-1691), although deeply learned in + many branches of science, was chiefly distinguished as a chemist. + He took a leading part in the founding of the Royal Society, and + was elected President in 1680, but from some conscientious scruple + did not accept the office. Naturalists are deeply indebted to him, + as he was "the first that made trial of preserving animals" in + spirit (see Grew's "Musaeum Regalis Societatis" (London, 1681), p. + 58). + + +I thank you that you were pleased to enquire of those German gentlemen +concerning my sonne I receiued a letter lately from him he hath not +been unmindfull of the R. Society's co[=m]ds & hath been in Hungaria in +the mines of Gold, sylver & copper at Schemets, Cremitz & Neusol & +desired mee to signifie so much to Mr. Oldenberg. + +[The above is hastily scrawled; it was evidently indited to Merrett, as +indicated by the reference to the German gentlemen, &c.; the date would +therefore be some time in the year 1669. Wilkin prints it in the 1836 +Edition, Vol. i., p. 408, but it is not in Bohn's reprint.] + + + + +APPENDIX A. + +[TWO LETTERS FROM DOCTOR CHRISTOPHER MERRETT TO SIR THOMAS BROWNE, MS. +SLOANE 1830, FOL. 1 TO 3. THEY ARE BOUND UP IN INVERSE ORDER OF DATE.] + + +[Reply to No. 2 in the above Series.] + +[_Fol. 3._] WORTHY SR,--y^{rs} of y^e 14^{th} instant I recaeved as full +off learning in discovering so many very great curiosities as kindness +in communicating them to mee & promising y^r farther assistance. ffor +which I shall always proclame by my tongue as well as by my pen, my due +resentment & thanks. + +The 2 funguses [guses _crossed out and_ i _inserted_] y^w sent y^e +figures off [_see Note 106_] are y^e finest & rarest as to their figure +I have ever seen or read of, & soe is y^r fibula marina, far surpassing +one I reacived from Cornwall much of y^e same bigness, neither of which +I find anywhere mentioned. The urtica marina minor Jonst. & physalus I +never met with, nor have bin informed off y^e canis charcharius alius +Jonst. Many of y^e Lupus piscis I have seen, & have bin informed by y^e +Kings fish monger they are taken on our coast, but was not satisfyed for +some reasons off his relation soe as to enter it into my pinax, though +tis said to bee peculiar to y^e river Albis [= Elbe] yet I thought they +might come sometimes thence to y^r coasts. Trutta marina I haue and y^e +loligo, sepia, & polypus y^e 3 sorts off y^e molles have bin found on +our western coasts which shall bee exactly distinguished--As for y^e +Salmons taken a bove London towards Richmond & nearer, & y^t in great +quantity some years they have all off them their lower jaw as y^w +observ, [_see Note 92_] & our fishermen [men _crossed out_] say they +usually wear off some part off it on y^e banks or els y^e lower would +grow into y^e upper & soe starve them as they have sometimes seen--y^w +ask whether I haue y^e mullus ruber asper, or y^e piscis Octangularis +Wormii. or y^e sea worm longer than y^e earth worms, or y^e garrulus +Argentor. or y^e duck cal'd a May chit or y^e Dor hawke. The 4 first I +haue noe account off y^e 2 later I know not especially by those names, +wee have noe hawk by y^t name [_see Note 42_] y^r account of succinum as +all y^e rest will bee registered. As for y^e Aquila Gesneri I never saw +nor heard off any such in y^e Collidge for [_fol. 3 verso_] this 25 +years last past. Sr y^w are pleased to say y^w shall write more if y^w +know how not to bee surpurfluous--certainly what y^w have hitherto done +hath bin all curiosities, & I doubt not but y^w have many more by you--I +can direct y^w noe further than y^r own reason dictates to y^w. Besides +those mentioned in y^e pinax I have 100 to add, & cannot give y^w a +particular off them--whatever y^w write is either confirmative or +additional. I doe entreat this favour off y^w to inform mee fuller off +those unknown things mentioned herein, & to add y^e name page &c of y^e +Author if mentioned by any or else to give them such a latin name for +them as y^w have done by y^e fungi which may bee descriptive & +differencing off them. Sr I hope y^e publigs [_sic_] interest & y^r own +good genius will plead y^r pardon desired by + + y^r humble servant + + CHR. MERRETT. + + _London Aug. 29. 68._ + + +[Reply to No. 8 of the above Series.] + +[_Fol. 1._] WORTHY SR,--my due thanks premised I at present acquaint y^w +y^t y^w have very well named y^e Rutilus & expressed fully y^e cours to +bee taken in y^e imposition of names viz y^e most obvious & most +peculiar difference to y^e ey or any other sens. I am farther to say y^t +y^e icon of y^e weazeling came not to my hands, pray bee pleas'd to look +amongst y^r papers perhaps it might bee laid by through some accident or +other [I have _added above_] y^e figures of y^r anas macrolophos, & of +y^e mergi cristati [_see Note 124_] & of y^e pristis y^t which came from +Cornwall was of y^e gladius, y^e name of sword fish being applied to +both of them by our nation. It seemeth by y^w y^t y^e Norwich aspredo is +not y^e Ceruna fluviatilis contrary to what Camden affirms, for y^e +rutilus mentioned in mine to y^w differs toto coelo from y^e +ceruna--The difference of y^e Elks bill by y^w signified is remarkable +to distinguish it from others of its own kind. [_See_ p. 83 _supra_.] +The crackling teal seems [clearly _crossed out_] to bee y^e same which +Dr Charleton[130] mentions in his Onomasticon under y^e name of y^e +cracker,& showing him y^r description hee acknowledged to bee y^e same, +y^e clangula I know noe more of than reading hath informed mee, a +willock I have seen brought from Greenland where they are said +exceedingly to abound, but never y^t [thought?] either of them was found +in England, & having [not _added above_] taken sufficient notice of it +y^e later, crave y^r description off both. + + [130] In Charleton's "Onomasticon," at p. 99, the Cracker is called + by him, _Anas caudacuta_, and is said to be the "Gaddel" of the + London dealers in fowl. [_See Note 125._] + +And now Sr since my last only 2 things remarkable haue come to my +knowledge. The one was a cake off black amber 1/6 off an inch thick & +neer a palm each way. Mr. Boyle brought it to y^e R. society to whom it +was sent from y^e Sussex shore, hee had only tryed it to its electricity +& found it answer his expectation, farther tryals will be made of it. +The second is a small plant found on oyster shells which when fresh did +perfectly represent y^e flowers off Hyacinthus botryoides, [_see Note +91_] but y^t was somewhat longer & not so much sweld out towards its +pedunculus, some of them are here inclosed. Tis doubtless a sort off +vesicaria, though much different from what y^w sent mee. Most off them +are now shrunk & y^e sides constituting y^e cavity come together & +appear only a transparent husk. One thing more I had to add (but +scarcely dare speak it out) y^t is if it would please [you _added +above_] to let it bee done without y^r charge & 2ly if it might be done +without y^r trouble, then I would beg off y^w to set some a work to +procure mee some of those rare animals &c y^w have mentioned in your +seueral Letters. My intention therein is double: first to take their +descriptions & furnish our colledge with them as curiosities, all being +lost by y^e fire this is onely wished but must not bee proposed without +y^e former limitation by y^r too much allready obliged friend & servant + + _8th May '69._ + + CHR. MERRETT. + +I met this week with some persons off quality high Germans who lately +saw y^r son & record all good things off him. + + ffor Dr Browne off Norwich. + +[The reply to this letter is No. IX of the above Series.] + + + + +APPENDIX B. + +[MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. MS. SLOANE 1847, FOL. 56-57.] + +[_See Note 51_, p. 32 _supra_.] + + +Praye Request Mr. Johnson to obtayne this fauor of Mr. Bacon who is +unknown to mee, to afford mee his resolution to these few queries +concerning the whale [wch _crossed out_] whereof I understand he had the +cutting up and disposure whether there were any spermacetie found, or +made out of other parts beside the head; if soe, of what parts & out of +what most: and whether any out of the meere fleshie parts whether that +wch runne from it about the shoare came out of the mouth. + + [_Not signed or dated._] + + +REPLY. + +Sr in Answer to your questions conserninge the whale, I founde noe +Sper[=m]e but in his heade and that after I had taken off his scalpe one +tonn weight [or more _written above_] of a nexuous substance, we found +in the circumference as large as a small coach wheele in the middle part +certain round pieces of Sperm as bigge as a mans fist some as large as +eggs and on the out side of the said rounds, flakes as large as a mans +head in forme like hony combs being very white and full of oyle. And +that Sp. wch was cast upon the shore I doe conceive came out of his +nostrells. thus much ffrom him who doth remayne Sir your humble Servant, +Arthur Bacon Yarmouth 10th May 1652. + + +BROWNE TO DUGDALE ON CERTAIN FOSSIL BONES. + +["EASTERN COUNTIES COLLECTANEA," pp. 193-195]. + + The letter referred to in the foot-note on page 33, written by + Sir Thomas Browne to Dugdale, and formerly in the possession of + the late Mr. Arthur Preston of Norwich, whose collection of + manuscripts was dispersed by auction in August, 1888, was + printed in a brief-lived and little-known local publication, + entitled the "Eastern Counties Collectanea" (1872-3), at page + 193. In this letter occurs a passage which confirms the doubt + expressed as to the Whales which had young ones after coming on + shore at Hunstanton being Sperm Whales. They are expressly said + to have been of that sort "which seamen call a Grampus," and as + Sir Nicholas le Strange, in a MS. preserved in the Muniment room + at Hunstanton, applies the name "Grampus" to an undoubted + specimen of _Hyperoodon rostratus_ (as shown both by his + description and outline sketch) which came ashore there in the + year 1700, I have little doubt that the Cetaceans in question + belonged to that species and not to _Physeter macrocephalus_. + + This letter is interesting also as filling a gap in Wilkin's + series and I therefore reproduce it, omitting only occasional + learned digressions which do not affect the subject. The + original not being available, I have used the copy in the + "Collectanea" before mentioned. + + Dugdale, in November, 1658, and again later, had written to + Browne, sending him a bone of a "fish which was taken up by Sir + Robert Cotton, in digging a pond at the skirt of Conington + downe," and asking his opinion thereof. (Wilkin, i., pp. 385 and + 390.) + + To the first of these letters Browne replied, under date of the + 6th December, 1658, "I receaued the bone of the fish, and shall + giue you some account of it when I have compared it with + another bone which is not by mee" (op. cit. p. 387). The letter + which follows and which was unknown to Wilkin supplies this + information. + +[p. 193.] "Sr I cannot sufficiently admire the ingenious industry of Sr +Robert Cotton in preserving so many things of rarity and observation nor +commend your own enquiries for the satisfaction of such particulars. The +petrified bone you sent me, which with divers others was found +underground, near Cunnington, seems to be the vertebra, spondyle or +rackbone of some large fish, and no terrestrious animal as some upon +sight conceived, as either of Camel, rhinoceros, or elephant, for it is +not perforated and hollow but solid according to the spine of fishes in +whom the spinal marrow runs in a channel above these solid racks, or +spondiles. + +"It seems much too big for the largest Dolphins, porpoises, or sword +fishes, and too little for a true or grown whale, but may be the bone of +some big cetaceous animal, as particularly of that which seamen call a +Grampus; a kind of small whale, whereof some come short, some exceed +twenty foot. And not only whales but Grampusses have been taken in this +Estuarie or mouth of the fenland rivers. And about twenty years ago four +were run ashore near Hunstanton and two had young ones after they came +to land. But whether this fish were of the longitude of twenty foot (as +is conceived) some doubt may be made for this bone containeth little +more than an inch in thickness, and not three inches in breadth so that +it might have a greater number thereof than is easily allowable to make +out that longitude. For of the whale which was cast upon our coast about +six years ago a vertebra or rackbone still preserved, containeth a foot +in breadth and nine inches in depth, yet the whale with all advantages +but sixty-two foot in length. [p, 194.] We are not ready to believe +that, wherever such relics of fish or sea animals are found, the sea +hath had its course. And Goropius Becanus[131] long ago could not digest +that conceit when he found great numbers of shells upon the highest +Alps. For many may be brought unto places where they were not first +found. + + [131] This seems to refer to the "De Gigantibus eorumque reliquiis" + of J. van Gorp, Jean Becan, or Joannes Goropius (as the name is + variously given in the "Biographie Universelle" (b. 1518, d. 1572), + and apparently published after the Author's death by Jean + Chassanion, 8vo, Basileae, 1580, and another edition in 1587. See + Brit. Mus. Cat.; but I have not seen the book. + +"Some bones of our whale were left in several fields which when the +earth hath obscured them, may deceive some hereafter, that the sea hath +come so high. In northern nations where men live in houses of fishbones +and in the land of the Icthiophagi near the Red sea where mortars were +made of the backbones of whales, doors of their jaws, and arches of +their ribs, when time hath covered them they might confound after +discoverers.... + +"For many years great doubt was made concerning those large bones found +in some parts of England, and named Giants' bones till men [p. 195] +considered they might be the bones of elephants brought into this island +by Claudius, and perhaps also by some succeeding emperors [then follow +other ancient examples of the finding 'elephants bones' in various +countries attributed to similar modes of introduction]. But many things +prove obscure in subterraneous discovery.... + +"In some chalk pits about Norwich many stag's horns are found of large +beams and branches, the solid parts converted into a chalky and fragile +substance, the pithy part sometimes hollow and full of brittle earth and +clay. In a churchyard of this city an oaken billet was found in a +coffin. About five years ago an humourous man of this country after his +death and according to his own desire was wrap't up in a horned hide of +an ox and so buried.[T] Now when the memory hereof is past how this may +hereafter confound the discoverers and what connjectures will arise +thereof it is not easy to conjecture. + + [T] Richard Ferrer, of Thurne, by his will, proved about 1654, + directed that his "dead body be handsomely trussed up in a black + bullock's hide, and be decently buried in the Churchyard of + Thurne."--"Norfolk Archaeology," v., p. 212. + + Sr Your servant to my power, + + THO. BROWNE." + +This is endorsed "Sr Thomas Browne's discourse about the Fish bone found +at Conington Com. Hunt, Shown, Dr. Tanner." + + + + +APPENDIX C. + +[SLOANE MS. ADDITIONAL 5233, LARGE FOLIO, IS A VOLUME LABELLED "DR. EDW. +BROWN'S DRAWINGS."] + + "Some original drawing of Towns, Castles, Antiquities, Medals + &c. by Dr. Edward Browne in his Travels & presented by his + Father Sir Thomas Browne. Who hath write upon sev^{ll} of them + what they are." + + +The above is the inscription written on the fly-leaf of this volume, +which I hoped might have contained some drawings of birds or fishes by +Sir Thomas Browne, but there is nothing in it of interest from a Natural +History point of view. In Wilkin's Catalogue of the MSS. (Vol. iv., p. +476) it is described as "a collection of very curious drawings (some +coloured) of public buildings, habits, _fishes_, mines, rocks, tombs, +and other antiquities, observed by Sir Thos. and Dr. Edward Browne in +their travels," but there are no fishes, birds, or other animals in the +volume. + + + + +APPENDIX D. + + + Draft of a letter from Sir Thomas Browne to his daughter + Elizabeth, enclosing two pictures of a Stork. This and the next + letter are in the Bodleian Library (MS. Rawl. D. cviii.) + +[_Fol. 70._] This is a picture of the stork [_see Note 14_] I mentiond +in my last. butt it is different from the co[=m]on stork by red lead +colourd leggs and bill[132] and the feet hath not vsuall sharp poynted +clawes butt resembling a mans nayle, such as Herodotus discribeth the +white Ibis of AEgypt to haue. The ends of the wings are black & when shee +doth not spred them they make all the lower part of the back looke +black, butt the fethers on the back vnder them are white as also the +tayle. it fed upon snayles & froggs butt a toad being offered it would +not touch it. the tongue is about half an inch long. the quills of the +wing are as bigge or bigger then a swans quills. it was shott by the +seaside & the wing broake. Some there were who tooke it for an euell +omen saying If storks come ouer into England, god send that a +co[=m]onwealth doth not come after.[U] + + [132] Browne evidently was not very familiar with the Stork, which + is not surprising, seeing that it is a very rare bird in Britain; + it may be that he had only seen the bird in its immature stage, for + the "red-lead" hue of the legs is very characteristic of the adult + bird. [_See also Note 14_, p. 10.] + + [U] In reference to the Dutch fable of those days that Storks would + only inhabit republican countries. + +That picture with the lesser head is the better. + + +MS. RAWL. D. cviii. + + Draft of a letter containing further particulars with regard to + the Stork. There is nothing to indicate to whom it was + addressed. + +[_Fol. 77._] A kind of stork was shott in the wing by the sea neere +Hasburrowe & brought aliue vnto mee. it was about a yard high red lead +coloard leggs and bill. the clawes resembling human nayles such as +Herodotus describeth in the white Ibis of AEgypt The lower parts of the +wings are black which gathered up makes the lower part of back looke +black butt the tayle vnder them is white as the other part of the body. +it fed readily upon snayles & froggs, butt a toad being offered it would +not touch it: the tongue very short [not _crossed out_] an inch long. it +makes a clattering noyse by flapping one bill agaynst the other somewhat +like the platea or shouelard.[V] the quills [about _crossed out_] of the +biggnesse of swans bills [_sic_ quills?] when it swallowed a frogge it +was sent downe into the stomak by the back side of the neck as was +perceaued upon swallowing. I could not butt take notice of the conceitt +of some who looked upon it as an ill omen saying if storks come ouer +into England, pray god a co[=m]on wealth do not come after. + + [V] The Spoonbill. + + In addition to these letters there are in the Bodleian Library a + letter from Elizabeth Browne to her brother, describing the + above-mentioned Stork, and desiring him to keep one of the two + pictures himself, and to give the other to his sister Fairfax + (MS. Rawl. D. 108, fol. 71), and a draft of a letter from Sir + Thomas Browne about a remarkable fly (_see ante_ p. 68 _and Note + 110_), which offended the cattle extraordinarily, found at + Horsey Marshes (MS. Rawl. D. 108, fol. 103). There is also (MS. + Rawl. D. 391, fol. 55) a letter from Sir Hamon le Strange to Sir + T. B., dated Jan. 16, 1653. About half this letter is printed by + Wilkin, i., pp. 369-70. He mentions towards the end that he + sends certain observations on T. B.'s "Enquiries into Common + Errors," at page "27 thereof I write of a whale cast upon my + shoare." This criticism is now separated from the letter, which + originally covered it, but happily is preserved in the British + Museum, MS. Sloane, 1839. fols. 104-145. + + + + +INDEX. + + + A. + + Acorus verus, 58 + + Acus, Needlefish, 40, 41, 66 + + Adders, 55 + + Addercock, 66 + + Alcedo ispida, 21 + + Allis Shad, 42 (note) + + Alni carptor, 76 + + Amber, 63, 88 + + Alosa, 42 + + Anas arctica, 17, 73 + + Anas macrolophos, 82, 88 + + Anas alis oculatis, 80 + + Anatula, 76, 79 + + Anglorum, Sand Eel, 44 + + Apiaster, 73 + + Aphia cobites, 42 + + Appendix A., 86 + + Appendix B., 90 + + Appendix C., 95 + + Appendix D., 96 + + Aquila Gesneri, 3, 67, 87 + + Ardea stellaris, 17 + + Arcuata, 23 + + Armed Bull-head, 41 (note), 62, 65, 87 + + Avicula Maialis, 19, 66 + + Ascidians, 50 (note) + + Aselli, 43 + + Asprage, 45 + + Aspredo, 53, 83, 88 + + Astacus, 46, 57 + + Atherine?, 42 (note), 73 + + Auk, Little?, 79 (note) + + Avis pugnax, 20 + + Avis trogloditica, 26 + + Avocet, 24, 67 + + + B. + + Balani, 48 + + Banstickle 44 + + Barbel, 53 + + Barker, 24, 67, 73, 76 + + Barnacle shell, 48 + + Barnacle Goose, 12 + + Bargander, 13, 73 + + Bass, 43 + + Bearded Tit, 26 (note) + + Bee-bird, 73, 76 + + Betulae Carptor, 29, 73, 76 + + Birdcatcher, 25 + + Birds found in Norfolk, 1 + + Birds number of species, 32 + + Bittern, 17 + + Black Grouse, 28 + + Black Heron, 21 + + Black-tailed Godwit, 24 (note) + + Bleak, 43, 53, 78, 81 + + Bones, Fossil, 91 + + Boyle, Robert, 85 + + Bream, 52 + + Brent Goose, 12 + + Brill, Bret, 45 + + Brittle Stars, 49 + + Browne, Sir Thomas-- + + Attitude towards witchcraft, xi. (note) + + Collection of Eggs, 10 (note) + + Correspondents, viii. + + Drawings lost, xxv. + + Editions of his Collected Works, xviii. + + Estimation in which he was held, xvii. + + Letters to Merrett, xxii., 57 + + Letters to Dugdale, 91 + + Notes on Certain Birds, xx., 1 + + Notes on Certain Fishes, xx., 31 + + Observations on Migration, xvi., 2 (note) + + Originality, xi., xvi. + + Purpose for which written, xxi., 2 + + State of Natural Science in his day, x., xiv. + + Bull-head, Armed, 41 (note), 62, 65, 87 + + Burbot, 54 + + Bustard, 18 + + Butcher bird, 25 + + Butt, 45 + + Buzzard, Bald, 4, 56 + + Buzzard, Gray, 4 + + + C. + + Canis (Dog-fish), 36 + + Canis carcharias, 37 (note), 61, 86 + + Caprimulgus, 26, 63, 66, 87 + + Cancellus, 48, 62 + + Carcinus maenas, 46 + + Carp, 55 + + Certhia, 80 + + Ceruna, 53, 88 + + Chad, 42 + + Chipper, 29, 73 + + Chock, 26 + + Chough, 27 + + Chub, 53 + + Churre, 19 (note), 20 + + Ciconia, 10, 64, 96 + + Cirripeds, 48 + + Clams, 47 + + Clangula, 83, 88 + + Coal-fish, 43 + + Coble bird, 25 + + Cockles, 47 + + Cods, 43 + + Conger, 44 + + Coot, 15 + + Corculum, 55, 56 + + Cormorant, 11 + + Cormorant, Rock, 11 + + Corallines, 80 + + Cotta Anglorum, 79, 81 + + Cottus scorpius, 42 + + Corvus marinus, 11 + + Crabs, 46 + + Crane, 5 + + Crawfish, 53 + + Crossbill, 25 + + Crow, 27 + + Crow, Hooded, 25 + + Cuckoo, 20 + + Cuckoo Mate, 22 (note) + + Culex marinus, 99 + + Curlew, 23 + + Curlew, Stone, 24 + + Cuttle fish, 45, 62 + + Cyclas, 55 (note) + + + D. + + Dab, 45 (note) + + Dabchick, 13 + + Dace, 52 + + Dentalia, 47, 73, 77 + + Divers, 8 (note) + + Dog-fish, 37 + + Dog-Whelk, 47 (note) + + Dolphin, 34 + + Dorhawk, 26, 63, 66, 87 + + Dory, 41 + + Dotterel, Land, 19 + + Dotterel, Sea, 19, 73, 76, 80 + + Draco minor, 42 (note), 73 + + Dragon fly, 55 (note) + + Draw Water, 28 + + Ducks, Wild, 13, 13 (note), 88 + + Duck, Golden-eye, 83 + + Duck, Tufted, 82 + + Dunlin, 19 + + + E. + + Eagles, 3, 67, 78, 87 + + Echinus, 48 + + Eels, 54 + + Eels, Conger, 44 + + Eels, Sand, 44 + + Eelpout, 54 + + Elke, 7, 78, 80, 83, 88 + + Erythropus, 19 + + + F. + + Faber marinus, 41 + + Fanago, 51, 74 + + Father Lasher, 42 (note) + + Fen Cricket, 55 (note), 56 + + Fibula marina, 50, 61, 86 + + Finches, 29 + + Fishing Frog, 38, 64 + + Fishes found in Norfolk, 31 + + Fishes number of species, 32 + + Flat-fish, 45 + + Flies, 67, 71, 97 + + Fly-catcher, 73 (note), 76 + + Forficula, 55 (note), 56 + + Fucus marinus, 71, 75 + + Fulica Cotta, 14 + + Fungi, various, 60, 61, 86 + + Funduli fluviatiles, 54 + + Funduli marini, 42 + + + G. + + Gallinula aquatica, 15 + + Gannet, 7, 13 + + Gammarus, 53 + + Garfish, 40, 66 + + Garrulus Bohemicus, 68 + + Garrulus Argentoratensis, 30, 63, 67, 87 + + Geese, 12, 13 + + Gladius, 36, 64, 88 + + Glot, Eel, 54 + + Gnatts or Knots, 19 + + Goatsucker, 26, 63, 66, 87 + + Gobies, 42 (note) + + Godwit, 19, 24 + + Gold-crested Wren, 29 (note), 76 + + Golden Eagle, 3 (note), 67 + + Golden-eye Duck, 84 (note), 88 + + Goldfinch, 29 + + Goosander, 13, 72, 83 (note) + + Goodyer, John, 59 + + Grampus, 33, 92 + + Great Northern Diver, 8 + + Green Plover, 19 (note), 20 + + Grey Plover, 20 + + Grebe, G. Crested, 13 + + Grebe, Little, 13 + + Grouse, Black, 28 + + Gryllotalpa, 55 (note), 56 + + Gudgeon, 54 + + Guillemot, 84 (note), 88 + + Gulls, 8, 9, 10 + + Gurnards, 39 + + Gurney, Anna, xx. + + + H. + + Haddock, 43 + + Hard-worm, 55, 56 + + Harriers, 4, 5 (note) + + Hawfinch, 25 + + Hermit Crabs, 48 + + Herons, 17 + + Heron, Black, 22 + + Heron, Purple, 22 (note) + + Heathpoult, 28 + + Herring, 39 + + Hippolyte varians, 53 + + Hirundo marina, Sea Swallow, 10 + + Hirudines marini, Sea Leeches, 50 + + Horse-leeches, 55 (note), 56 + + Horse Mackerel, 39 + + Hobby, 78 + + Hobby-bird, 22 + + Hoopoe, 23, 67 + + Hooded Crow, 26 + + How, Dr. William, 59 (note) + + Hydrocantharus, 55 (note), 56 + + Hydrozoa, 70 + + + J. + + Jackdaw, 27 + + Jelly-fish, 50, 61, 78 + + Jet, 63 (note), 64, 85 + + Junco, 72 + + + K. + + Kingfisher, 22 + + Kite, 4, 15, 27 + + Knots, 19 + + + L. + + Lampern, 54 + + Lamprey, 54 + + Lanius, 25 + + Lapwing, 20 + + Lari, many sorts of, 8, 9 + + Larks, 28 + + Larus minor, 9, 73 + + Leeches, 50 + + Lesser Butcher Bird, 26 (note) + + Letters to Dugdale, 91 + + Letters to Merrett, 57 + + Letters from Merrett, 86 + + Limpets, 47 + + Lingula, 45 + + Little Auk?, 79 (note) + + Littorina, 47 + + Lizard, 55 + + Loach, 54 + + Lobster, 46 + + Lolego, 46, 62, 86 + + Loon, 13 + + Loxia, 25 + + Lug Worm, 50 (note) + + Lump-fish, 39 + + Lupus marinus, 38, 61, 86 + + + M. + + Mackerel, 43, 74 + + Mackerel, Horse, 39 + + Marine Worms, 50 + + May-chit, 19, 63, 66, 87 + + Medusae, 49 (note) + + Merganser, 13, 72 + + Mergus acutirostris, 13 + + Mergus cristatus, 82, 88 + + Mergus major, 8, 57 + + Mergus minor, 13 + + Mergus mustelaris, 77 + + Mergus serratus, 18, 83 + + Mergulus, 77, 79 + + Merlin, 78 + + Merrett, Christopher, xxii., 57 + + Mistletoe, 70 + + Migration, xvi., 2 (note) + + Miller's Thumb, 54 + + Minnow, 53 + + Mole Cricket, 55 (note), 56 + + Moon-fish (Mola), 38, 64 + + Moor Hen, 15 + + Morinellus, 19, 73, 76, 80 + + Musca tuliparum, 67, 74 + + Mullet, 40, 65 + + Mullet, Red, 40, 62, 65, 87 + + Mussels, 47 + + Musk Beetle, 58 + + Mustela fluviatilis, 54 + + Mustela marina, 39 + + Mustela variegata, 14 + + + N. + + Needle-fish, 40 (note), 41, 66 + + Nerites, 47, 73, 77 + + Night-jar, 26, 63, 66, 87 + + Norway Lobster, 46 (note) + + Notonacton, 55 (note), 56, 71 + + Nuthatch, 21 + + + O. + + Oak Galls, 69, 70, 75 + + Octopus?, 46 (note), 86 + + Oldenburg, Henry, 82 + + Onocrotalus, 16, 64 + + Ophidian, 65 + + Osprey, 4, 78 + + Otters, 56 + + Oysters, 46 + + Oyster Catcher, 8 (note) + + + P. + + Parrot Jay, 30, 63, 67, 87 + + Partridge, 27 + + Partridge, Red-legged, 28 + + Pectines, 47 + + Pediculus marinus, 49 + + Pelican, 16, 64 + + Perch, 52 + + Periwinkle, 47, 55 (note), 56 + + Peter-fish, 41 + + Physalus, 49, 65 + + Pica marina, 8 + + Picus martius, 21 + + Pigs, Solid-footed, 77, 80, 81 + + Pike, 52 + + Pilchard, 44, 81 + + Pinax, 57, 87 + + Pintail Duck, 14, 77, 80 + + Piscis octangularis, 41, 62, 65, 87 + + Pisidium?, 55 (note) + + Place, 45 + + Plot, Dr. Robert, xxiv. (note) + + Plover, Green, 19 (note), 20 + + Plover, Grey, 20 + + Plover, Ring, 23 + + Pogge, 41 (note) + + Polypus, 46, 86 + + Porbeagle, 57 (note), 61, 86 + + Porpoise, 34 + + Porci solidi pedes, 77, 80, 81 + + Primmes, 42, 73 + + Pristis serra, 36, 83, 88 + + Puets, 10 + + Puffin, 17, 73 + + Pungitius, 44, 58 + + + Q. + + Quail, 28 + + Quercus Galls, 69, 70 + + Quercus marinus, 75 + + Querquedula, 14, 83 + + + R. + + Rail, Land, 28 + + Rail, Water, 15, 79, 81 + + Rana piscatrix, 38, 64 + + Raven, 27 + + Rays, 45 + + Razor shells, 47 + + Red-backed Shrike, 25 (note) + + Red-legged Partridge, 28 + + Red Mullet, 40, 62, 65, 87 + + Redshank, 19 + + Reed-chock, 72 + + Reseda, 59 + + Ringlestones, 23 + + Ring Plover, 23 + + Roach, 52 + + Rochet, 39 + + Rock Cormorant, 11 + + Rockling, 39 (note) + + Roller, 30, 63, 67, 87 + + Roman Nettle, 59, 68 + + Rook, 27 + + Rudd, Roud, 52, 82 + + Ruff (fish), 53, 83, 88 + + Ruff (Reeve), 20 + + Rubelliones, 39 + + Rutilus, 82, 88 + + + S. + + Salmon, 51, 62, 87 + + Sand Eel, 44 + + Sanderling, 19 (note), 63, 66, 87 + + Saurus, 40, 66 + + Sawfish, 36, 83, 88 + + Sandpiper, Common, 79 + + Scad, 39 + + Scallop, 47 + + Scarabaeus, 58 + + Scarburgh, Sir C., 3 (note) + + Scolopax, 41 + + Scolopendra, 35 + + Scombri, 43, 74 + + Scorpius, 42, 67 + + Scotch Goose, 12 + + Sea Buttons, 50, 61 + + Sea Dotterel, 19, 73, 76, 80 + + Sea Dugge, 50 (note), 51 + + Sea Gudgeon, 42 + + Sea Leach, 50 + + Sea Loach, 42 + + Sea Louse, 49 + + Sea Miller's Thumb, 42 + + Sea Mouse, 49, 65 + + Sea Perriwig, 70 + + Sea Pheasant, 14, 77 + + Sea Pie, 8 + + Sea Stars, 49, 57 + + Sea Trout, 62, 86 + + Sea Wolf, 38, 61, 86 + + Sea Woodcock, 40 + + Seal, 35, 64 + + Seaweeds, 70 + + Sepia, 45, 86 + + Sesamoides, 59 + + Shad, 42 (note) + + Shag, 11 + + Shagreen Ray, 45 + + Shearwater, 12, 72 + + Sheld-drake, 12 (note), 13, 73 + + Shoeing-horn, 24 + + Shore Crab, 46 (note) + + Shovelard, 10 + + Shoveller Duck, 14 + + Shrike, 25 + + Shrimp, Freshwater, 55 (note) + + Silerella, 26 (note) + + Siskin, 29 (note), 73, 76 + + Skate, 45 + + Skipper (Saury), 40 (note) + + Skua, 8, 58 + + Smelt, 42 + + Smew, 14, 77 + + Snakes, 55 + + Sole, 45 + + Solens, 47 + + Solid-footed Swine, 77, 80, 81 + + Sperm Whale, 32, 65, 75, 80, 91, 98 + + Spermologous, 27 + + Spoonbill, 10 + + Sported Flycatcher, 73, 76 + + Sported Ray, 45 + + Sprat, 43 + + Squalders, 49, 50 (note), 61 + + Squid, 45 (note) + + Squllae, 56 + + Starling, 28 + + Stella marina, 49, 57 + + Stern, 10, 73 + + Sting-fish, 42, 65 + + Sting Ray, 45 + + Stint, 19 (note), 20 + + Stickleback, 44 (note), 58 + + Stone Curlew, 24, 67 + + Stork, 10, 64, 96 + + Sturgeon, 37 + + Succinum, 63 + + Sun-fish, 38, 64 + + Surmullet, 40 + + Swan, Wild, 7, 78, 80, 83, 88 + + Sweet Flag, 57 + + Swift, 55 + + Sword Fish, 36, 64, 88 + + + T. + + Teal, 14, 83, 88 + + Tench, 52 + + Tenison, Archbishop, ix. + + Terns, 10, 73 + + Tethya, 50 (note), 51 + + Thornback, 45 + + Tope, 37 (note) + + Trachurus, 39, 58 + + Trout, 53 + + Trout, Sea, 66, 82 + + Tufted Duck, 82 + + Tunny?, 43 (note), 74 + + Turbines, 47 + + Turbot, 45 + + + U. + + Upupa, 23, 67 + + Urtica marina, 49, 61, 78, 86 + + Urtica mas, 68 + + Urtica pilulifera, 59 (note) + + Urtica Romana, 59 + + + V. + + Vermes marinus, 50, 62, 66, 87 + + Vermes setacei, 56 + + Vesicaria, 50 (note), 51, 74, 79, 85, 89 + + Vipers, 55 + + Vitulus marinus, 35, 64 + + + W. + + Water Beetle, 55 (note), 56 + + Water Boatman, 55 (note), 56 + + Water Hen, 15 + + Water Rail, 15, 79, 81 + + Waxwing, 68 + + Weasel Cray, 84 + + Weasel ling, 39, 82, 88 + + Weever-fish, 42 (note), 65, 67 + + Wesell, 14, 77 + + Whale, Sperm, 32, 65, 75, 90, 91, 98 + + Wheatear, 26 (note) + + Whelk, 47 + + White-tailed Eagle, 3 + + Whiting, 43 + + Whinne Bird, 29, 76 + + Wild Duck, 14 + + Wild Goose, 12, 13 + + Wild Swan, 7, 78, 80, 83, 88 + + Wilkin, Simon, xviii. (note) + + Willick, 84, 88 + + Wolf-fish, 38, 61, 86 + + Woodcock (fish), 41 + + Woodpecker, 21 + + Wren, Dr. Christopher, xx. + + Wren, Gold-crested, 29, 76 + + Wryneck, 22 (note) + + + X. + + Xiphias, 36 + + + Y. + + Yarwhelp, 24, 73, 76 + + + + +ERRATA. + + + Page 8, note 10, last line, _delete_ us. + + Page 8, note, first line, after Great Northern Diver, insert + _Colymbus glacialis_; line three, _delete Colymbus glacialis_, + and after _Mergus maximus_ insert Farrensis. + + Page 12, note 17, line 8, for "English Birds" read "English + words." + + Page 12, note 18, line 4 from bottom, for "near the centre" read + "near the south-west border." + + Page 14, note 22, line 9, after "(Hunt)" insert ";." + + Page 20, note 31, line 5, transfer the words "for the last few + years" to line 4, after "has bred." + + Page 23, note 36, line 3, for "Eringo" read "Eryngo." + + Page 34, note 52, line 1, for "hat" read "that." + + Page 35, note 54, line 5, for "Neridiform" read "Nereidiform." + + Page 36, note 55, line 7, for _pristis antiquoram_ read _pristis + antiquorum_. + + Page 46, note 82, line 1, for _Cancer_ read _Carsinus_ + (corrected in Index). + + Page 47, note 83, lines 9 and 19, for _litoria_, read + _littorea_. + + Page 50, note 90, line 2 from bottom, after "and" insert + "which." + + Page 53, note 93, line 5 from bottom, for _Pandalus varius_, + read _Hippolyte varians_ (corrected in Index). + + +_Jarrold & Sons, The Empire Press, Norwich and London._ + + + + +Transcriber's Notes + + Spelling and punctuation are retained as in the original. + + Footnotes were kept as close to the referring paragraph as + practicable. They are essentially part of the text. + + The errata section was moved to the end of the book and its changes + are entered. + + The following words appear both with and without hyphens. + + Bee-bird + Fly-catcher + fresh-water + Gar-fish + Goat-sucker + marsh-bird + Needle-fish + north-west + Saw-fish + sea-shoare + sea-shore + whole-footed + + [=m] indicates a double m; e.g. co[=m]on. + [=u] indicates a letter u with macron above. + w^{ch} indicates multiple letters are superscripted. + y^r indicates a single superscripted letter. + + + Footnote 98 + + 'Both Vipers (or Adders) and Snakes, the latter in particular,' + + 'latte ' included a following space, so made the assumption that + the word here is 'latter'. + + Changed. + + + Page 13 + + 'Mergus acutarostris cinereus' + + 'acutarostris' may be 'acutirostris' as used elsewhere. + + Spelled as in original. + + + Page 39 + + 'sprdding the finnes into a liuely posture do hang them' + + 'sprdding' is an odd spelling for spreading. + + Spelled as in original. + + + Page 45 + + 'with a long & strong aculeus in the tayle conceuud of' + + 'conceuud' is an odd spelling. + + Unchanged. + + + Page 76 + + 'A yarewhelp or barker [some words smeared out]' + + Closing bracket added. + + + Page 91 + + 'came out of his nostrells. thus much ffrom him who doth' + + 'ffrom' matches original. + + Double 'ff' occurs several places in the book. + + + Page 93 + + 'or Joannes Goropius (as the name is variously given in the + "Biographie Universelle" (b. 1518, d. 1572),' + + Missing closed parenthesis. + + Unchanged. + + + Index 'Notonacton' + + 'Notonacton' + + Refers to 'Notonecton' in all cases. + + Unchanged. + + + Index 'Porbeagle' + + 'Porbeagle' + + '57' may be a typo for '37' + + Porbeagle is also known as 'Canis carcharius alius' or 'canis + charcharius alius Jonst.' or 'Lamna cornubica'. + + Unchanged. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes and Letters on the Natural +History of Norfolk, by Thomas Browne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NATURAL HISTORY OF NORFOLK *** + +***** This file should be named 35888.txt or 35888.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/8/8/35888/ + +Produced by Charlene Taylor, Leonard Johnson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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