that were cut for watering the meadows. From these fishes (which
measured from two to four inches in length) I took the following
description: 'The loach, in its general aspect, has a pellucid
appearance: its back is mottled with irregular collections of small
black dots, not reaching much below the linea lateralis, as are the
back and tail fins: a black line runs from each eye down to the
nose; its belly is of a silvery white; the upper jaw projects beyond
the lower, and is surrounded with six feelers, three on each side; its
pectoral fins are large, its ventral much smaller; the fin behind its
anus small; its dorsal fin large, containing eight spines; its tail,
where it joins to the tail-fin, remarkably broad, without any
taperness, so as to be characteristic of this genus: the tail-fin is
broad, and square at the end. From the breadth and muscular
strength of the tail, it appears to be an active nimble fish.'

In my visit I was not very far from Hungerford, and did not forget
to make some inquiries concerning the wonderful method of curing
cancers by means of toads. Several intelligent persons, both gentry
and clergy, do, I find, give a great deal of credit to what was
asserted in the papers: and I myself dined with a clergyman who
seemed to be persuaded that what is related is matter of fact; but,
when I came to attend to his account, I thought I discerned
circumstances which did not a little invalidate the woman's story of
the manner in which she came by her skill. She says of herself 'that,
labouring under a virulent cancer, she went to some church where
there was a vast crowd: on going into a pew, she was accosted by a
strange clergyman; who, after expressing compassion for her
situation, told her chat if she would make such an application of
living toads as is mentioned she would be well.' Now is it likely
that this unknown gentleman should express so much tenderness