The true prophecies or prognostications of Michael Nostradamus, physician to Henry II. Francis II. and Charles IX. Kings of France, and one of the best astronomers that ever were. / A work full of curiosity and learning. Translated and commented by Theophilus de Garencieres, Doctor in Physick Colleg. Lond.

by Nostradamus

XXI.

French.

Au Crustamin pres Mer Adriatique.

Apparoistra un horrible poisson,

De face humaine & de corps aquatique,

Qui se prendra dehors de l’Hamecon.

English.

In the Crustamin near the Adriatick Sea,

An horrid Fish shall appear,

Having a mans face, and a fishes body,

Which shall be taken without a hook.

ANNOT.

I suppose this Crustamin to be some place so called, near the Adriatick Sea.

As for Fishes with an humane face, we have several examples of them. Ambrosius Paræus relateth divers, and in his works hath inserted the Pictures of them.

1. When Mena was Governour of Ægypt, and walked by the Nilus side, he saw a Sea-man rising out of the River, having an humane shape as far as the Navel, and with a grave look and fair hairs, intermixed with white ones, bony Breast, and distinct Arms, the rest of the body was like a Fish. Three days after in the Morning appeared another Sea-monster like a woman: those two Monsters appeared so long, that every body had time to consider them.

2. Rondeletius saith, that in our age was taken a Fish in the Sea of Norway, which every body presently called a Monk, because of the resemblance.

3. In the year 1531. was seen a Sea-monster, covered with Scales, which for the resemblance was called a Bishop, Rondeletius and Gesuerus have the Picture of it.

4. In the year 1523. was seen in Rome a Fish about the bigness of a Child of five years old, that had humane shape to the Navel, except the ears: So that all those things related of Tritons, Nereides and Sirens seem not altogether fabulous, and we may conclude with Pliny: Vera est vulgi opinio, quicquià nascatur in parte naturæ ulla, & in Mariesse, præterque multa quæ nusquam alibi, lib. 9. cap. 2.