208 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 



in serpentine folds upon the surface. The size of the body 

 was about tbat of a barrel, in colour nearly black, and of a 

 hard and scaly appearance. The jaws were furnished with 

 formidable teeth, and the whole length of the animal was sup- 

 posed to be about one hundred feet. The folds were like 

 wooden buoys floating: sometimes fourteen were visible, at 

 others more or less. Those who saw it, agreed that it had 

 neither gills nor fins. It moved like a caterpillar, but wonder- 

 fully rapid. The time that this animal remained in Gloucester 

 harbour was about three weeks, and it was frequently seen 

 pursuing the shoals of fish, which were observed to be un- 

 usually numerous, and were supposed to have occasioned its 

 appearance. 



During the first part of its visit, it seemed fearless of any 

 thing, remaining stationary for some time, and suffering boats 

 to approach near it. Numerous attempts, however, were 

 soon made to take it ; and the offer of a large reward oc- 

 casioned contrivances of all kinds to effect its capture, dead or 

 alive. Harpoons, guns, and swivels, were directed against it 

 to no purpose ; and though the balls from the latter were said 

 to have struck it, no effect was produced. Large hooks were 

 baited for it, and strong nets were set in different parts of the 

 harbour, in the hope that the animal, in pursuing the fish 

 might be entangled in them. All these were unsuccessful ; 

 and the creature being harpooned, soon became so shy and 

 wary, that no boat could get near it, and the swiftness with 

 which it darted away prevented any aim being taken at it. 

 It finally disappeared, and was unheard of until the middle of 

 August 1819, when an animal of a similar nature was seen off 

 Nahant in Boston, where it remained for some weeks on that 

 part of the coast. The first time it was visible, it was sta- 

 tionary for four hours near the shore, and two hundred persons 

 assembled to view it. Thirteen folds were counted, and the 

 head, which was serpent-shaped, was elevated two feet above 

 the surface. Its eye was remarkably brilliant and glisten- 

 ing : the water smooth, and the weather calm and serene. 



