A List of the common Names of the FISH frequenting the Bahama Seas, exclusive of those already figured and described in this Work.

Tho' many of the Fish in this List, besides those whose Figures are exhibited from some Resemblance they bear to those in Europe, have attained the same Names, yet I never observed in these Seas, nor any where between the Tropicks the same kinds of Fish, but were all of different Species from any in Europe, a few excepted, which are Dolphins, Boneto's, Albicores, Sharks, Flying-Fish, Rudder-fish and Remoras; which contrary to all other Fish frequent the most distant Part of the Ocean from Land, and are also found on the Coasts of the Old World as well as in America. The Universality and numerous Shoals of these migratory Fish, particularly the three first, are a Benefit to Mariners in long Voyages, affording them comfortable Changes of fresh Diet, after long feeding on salt Meats.

Of Shells.

Shells, as well as other Productions of Nature, abound more in Number of Species, and are more beautiful between the Tropicks, than in the other parts of the World: At the Bahama Islands are produced most of the Kinds of American Sea Shells, Frutices Marini, &c. that are found between the Northern Tropicks and the Line. The Shallow Seas of these rocky Islands seem more adapted to their Propagation, than most other Places in those Latitudes; the vast Profusion that are here found with the more frequent Opportunities of protecting them, has caused the Cabinets of the Curious in England to be more furnished with them from thence, than from any other Parts of the World; therefore as few new Species can be added to those figured by Dr. Lister, Bonana, and others, I shall only add some Observations on Shells which I made at the Place of their Production.

Every Species of Shell-fish inhabit particular Parts of the Sea agreeable to their Natures: This seems to have some Analogy to Plants, whose different Kinds affect a different Soil and Aspect: The various Position of the Rocks, and Banks on which Shells lye, besides other natural Causes, may conduce to their abiding more in one Place than in another; therefore these Islands do not afford Shells alike plentiful. Those which lye wEst and nearest the Gulph of Florida, particularly Providence, Abaco, Andros, and Grand Bahama, have fewer than the Windward, or Eastermost Islands, particularly those called the French Keys, Turks Islands, Exuma, and Long Island. Some Shells which are plentiful on the South Shore of an Island, are rarely seen on the North Side, and other Kinds that the North Sides abound in are not on the South. Some Shells are vey scarce, and are found only at a few particular Islands, and Parts of those Islands, bearing the same Aspects, and are rarely found promiscuously scattered with other Shells. Most or all the different Kinds of Shell-fish, abide in a certain depth of Water. Some so deep and far out at Sea, that they are seldom seen alive, but at the Death of the Fish, the Shell is cast on Shore. Others are found less deep. Some in shallow Water. Others lying flat onteh Rocks or Sand. Some sticking flat to the Sides of Rocks. Others sticking to the Sides of Rocks horizontally. Some confined in the Hollows and Cavities of Rocks. Some buried deep in Sand, others in Mud. Some lying always half out of the Sand. Soem Kinds of Shell-fish, which cleave to the Sides of Rocks, abide on the North Sides, exposed to the violent Rage of the sea. Other Kinds not enduring such Violence of the Waves, shelter themselves in the Hollows of Rocks, and mostly on the South Sides of Islands, where they are less exposed. Others are yet less exposed, abiding in deep Cisterns of Rock within Land, supplied with Sea water by subterraneous Passages, where the Water is always calm.

Amongst other Shells sticking to the Rocks, environing these silent Waters, were Oysters, which stuck horizontally to the Sides of the Rocks, that Edge next the Hinge of the Oyster, being the Part fix'd to the Rock.

xliii