Sea Monsters Unmasked, and Sea Fables ExplainedLee, Henry
History
Sea Monsters Unmasked, and Sea Fables Explained
Lee, Henry
Cephalopoda; Marine animals
Moreover, it should seeme that there is another sort hereof; the
History of which is true, and of mine owne knowledge; for
trauelling vpon the shore of our English coast betweene Douer and
Rumney, I found the trunke of an old rotten tree, which (with some
helpe that I procured by Fishermen's wiues that were there
attending their husbands' returne from the sea) we drew out of the
water vpon dry land; vpon this rotten tree I found growing many
thousands of long crimson bladders, in shape like vnto puddings
newly filled, before they be sodden, which were very cleere and
shining; at the nether end whereof did grow a shell fish, fashioned
somewhat like a small Muskle, but much whiter, resembling a shell
fish that groweth vpon the rockes about Garnsey and Garsey, called
a Lympit: many of these shells I brought with me to London, which
after I had opened I found in them liuing things without forme or
shape; in others which were neerer come to ripenesse I found liuing
things that were very naked, in shape like a Bird: in others, the
Birds couered with soft downe, the shell halfe open, and the Bird
ready to fall out, which no doubt were the Fowles called Barnacles.
I dare not absolutely auouch euery circumstance of the first part
of this history, concerning the tree that beareth those buds
aforesaid, but will leaue it to a further consideration; howbeit,
that which I haue seene with mine eies, and handled with mine
hands, I dare confidently auouch, and boldly put downe for verity.
Now if any will object that this tree which I saw might be one of
those before mentioned, which either by the waues of the sea or
some violent wind had beene ouerturned as many other trees are; or
that any trees falling into those seas about the Orchades, will of
themselves bear the like Fowles, by reason of those seas and
waters, these being so probable conjectures, and likely to be true,
I may not without prejudice gainsay, or endeauour to confute.
¶ _The Place._
The bordes and rotten plankes whereon are found these shels
breeding the Barnakle, are taken vp in a small Island adioyning to
Lancashire, halfe a mile from the main land, called the Pile of
Foulders.
¶ _The Time._
They spawn as it were in March and Aprill; the Geese are formed in
May and June, and come to fulnesse of feathers in the moneth after.
And thus hauing through God's assistance discoursed somewhat at
large of Grasses, Herbes, Shrubs, Trees, and Mosses, and certaine
Excrescenses of the Earth, with other things moe, incident to the
historie thereof, we conclude and end our present Volume, with this
wonder of England. For the which God's name be euer honored and
praised.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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