that he kills them by creeping into the mouth, and devouring their tongues. He hath a way, as he creeps in, to put his head and teeth into such a posture, that they are no hindrance to him.

1690.

Iruku is a known Fish, call'd Tenije in the Indies, Iruku. (Fig. 39.) Furube is another Fish, not very large, (Fig. Furube. 40.) The Dutch call him Blazer, which signifys Blower, because he can blow and swell himself up into the form of a round Ball. He is rank'd among the poisonous Fish,

1690.

and if eat whole, is said unavoidably to occasion death. There are three different sorts of it found in the Japanese Seas, all in great plenty. The first sort call'd Susumebuka is small, and seldom eat. The second is call'd Mabuku,

app

Susuki.

FIG. 41. Susuki, a bald head.

that is the true Buku. This the Japanese reckon a very delicate Fish, and they are very fond of it. But the Head, Guts, bones, and all the garbage must be thrown away, and the Flesh carefully wash'd and clean'd before

it is fit to eat. And yet many People die of it, for want, as they say, of thoroughly washing and cleaning it. People that by some long and tedious sickness are grown weary of their lives, or are otherwise under miser

鯉

Ko I

1690.

FIG. 42. Koi, a fish not unlike a carp.

able Circumstances, frequently chuse this poisonous Fish, instead of a knife or halter, to make away with themselves. A Neighbour of my Servant at Nangasaki being so strongly infected with the Pox, that his nose was ready

1690.

to drop off, resolv'd to take this Meal, in order to get rid at once both of his life and distemper. Accordingly he bought a good quantity of this poisonous Fish, cut it into pieces, boil'd it, and in order as he thought, to make the

緣

A ra.

FIG. 43. Ara, a Jacob's Ewertz.

poison still stronger, he took soot from the thatch'd roof of his house, and mix'd it with the rest. After dinner he laid himself down to die, and soon falling mortally sick, he brought up not only the poison he had taken, but a large quantity of viscid, sharp, nasty matter, probably not

the least cause of his distemper, and by this means found life and health, in what he sought for death, for he recover'd and was well afterwards. A few years ago five persons of Nagasaki having eat a dish of this Fish, fainted

鱣

Oo Adr.

1690.

་་་་་

FIG. 44. Ooadsi, a sort of Maasbancker.

soon after dinner, grew convulsive and delirious, and fell into such a violent spitting of Blood, as made an end of their lives in a few days. And yet the Japanese won't deprive themselves of a dish so delicate in their opinion,