This fish was tolerably fat, for, although the citizens of Bensselaerswyck broiled out a great quantity of train oil, still the whole river (the current being rapid) was oily for three Aveeks, and covered with grease." His accounts of the native animals of the country, excellent for the most part, become amusing in places where he relies not upon his individual knowledge but upon vague stories told him by the Indian hunters of strange creatures in the interior. Thus, he makes New Netherland the habitat of the fabled unicorn. " I have been frequently told by the Mohawk Indians," says he, " that far in the interior parts of the country there were animals, which were seldom

DONCK's

NKTHERLAND.

HISTORY

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COUNTY

seen, of the size and form of horses, with cloven hoofs, having one horn in the forehead from a foot and a half to two feet in length, and that because of their fieetness and strength they were seldom caught or ensnared. I have never seen any certain token or sign of such animals, but that such creatures exist in the country is supported by the concurrent declarations of the Indian hunters. There are Christians who say that they have seen the skins of this species of animal, but without the horns." He also speaks of " a bird of prey which has a head like the head of a large cat "--probably a reference to the catowl. His remarks about the beaver, based upon personal study and knowledge, are singularly interesting. The deer, he informs us, " are incredibly numerous in this country. Although the Indians throughthouout the year, and every year (but mostly in the fall), kill many sands, and the wolves, after the fawns are cast and while they are everyyoung, also destroy many, still the land abounds with them ed." undiminish remain to appear where, and their numbers Being finally granted leave to go back to New Netherland, Van der Donck applied to the West India Company for permission to practice his profession of lawyer in the province.