THE following _accidental Passage_ is so remarkable, that I cannot pass it by, in order to satisfy and convince _others_ of this admirable TRUTH; Namely, that, not many Years ago, in coming from _Germany_ over East and West _Friesland_, to _Holland_, I took Passage in the ordinary _Fare-Vessel_, from the City of _Harlingen_ for _Amsterdam_, over what they call the _Zuyder-Zee_; Which is commonly reckon’d a _Voyage_ of 10 or 12, Hours, tho’ at this Time we happen’d to be near 36 Hours on our _Passage_. Amongst the better Sort of the _Passengers_, who possess’d the _Cabine_, there happen’d to be a _Woman big with Child_, of a very creditable _Aspect_, who afterwards told me, that She was bound for _Amsterdam_, on purpose to buy some Necessaries for her _lying-in_ at the easiest rate; when in the _interim_, the good Provident _Woman_, was taken all at once, aboard the _Ship_, with a sudden and surprizing LABOUR: Upon which occasion, in short I immediately lent her a _helping Hand_, and upon the _Membrane_’s giving way, this forementioned ANIMAL made its wonderful _Egress_; filling my _Ears_ with dismal SHRIEKS, and my _Mind_ with greater CONSTERNATION. WHEN not immediately recollecting what I had either heard or read of this _MONSTER_, I could not help continuing in my Surprize, until I heard some of our _Accidental Company_ call it _de Suyger_, as they went about to kill it: Upon which I immediately laid the _Woman_ of a pretty _plump_ GIRL; who, notwithstanding all this, had no _Deformity_ upon it, save only many _dark_, _livid_ SPOTS all over its Body; which I prognosticated might turn to a _Universal_ SCURF. In the mean time I order’d the _Express’d Oil_ of ALMONDS to be diligently us’d, as soon as we landed. AFTERWARDS I had occasion to talk with some of the most _learned Men_, of the several famous Universities in these _Provinces_ upon this Head; who ingenuously told me, that it was so common a Thing, among the _Sea-faring_, and _meaner sort of People_, that scarce ONE of these _Women_ in _Three_ escaped this kind of strange BIRTH; which my own small _Practice_ among them afterwards also confirmed: Insomuch, that I always as much expected the Thing _de Suyger_, as the CHILD it self: And besides the _Women_ in like manner, make a respective suitable _Preparation_, to receive it warmly, and throw it into the _Fire_; holding _Sheets_ before the _Chimney_, that it may not get off; as it always endeavours to save it self, by getting into some _dark Hole_ or _Corner_. They properly call it _de Suyger_, which is (in our Language) the SUCKER, because, like a _Leech_, it sucks up the INFANT’S _Blood_ and _Aliment_.