Thomas of Cantimpré [circa 1200-1272 CE] (Liber de natura rerum, Fish 7.3): Alphoraz is a fish, as Aristotle says. It is not born, but is created from heat and moisture, and this in a muddy place which sometimes lacks water. It therefore grows from the rotting of that mud, when the lake has no water, and is created in the form of a worm, and afterwards when the water rises, that worm grows into a fish. But it lasts for a short time and quickly decays. Sailors say that if the fish decays until only the head and eyes remain of it, it will be reborn to live a long time. - [Badke translation/paraphrase]