134 Zoological Society : — 



species are known to science, yet they are all of diminutive size in 

 comparison with the individual now obtained. Gymnetrus Hawkenii, 

 G. Banksiit and G. Glesne are occasionally found in the British Seas. 



" So little appears to be known of this singular tribe of fishes, that, 

 even in the present advanced state of marine zoology, their habits, 

 haunts, &c. remain blanks in the book of Nature, and will probably 

 long continue so, unless opportunities like the present should occur 

 to enable us to add new facts to the history of these remarkable 

 creatures. 



" The most notable fact, however, in connexion with the capture of 

 the present specimen will doubtless be the interest and attraction it 

 will produce in the scientific world ; for most assuredly we have in 

 the specimen now before us many of the peculiarities with which the 

 appearance of that hitherto apocryphal monster, the Great Sea Ser- 

 pent, as detailed by navigators, is invested. The lengthened fila- 

 ments crowning the caput, joined anteriorly by the connecting mem- 

 brane and extending to the shoulders, would, viewed from a vessel's 

 deck, present to the spectator the mane so accurately described as a 

 singular feature in the gigantic specimen seen by Capt. M'Quhae, 

 R.N., and officers of H.M.S. ■ Daedalus/ Then, again, the rapidity 

 with which that individual specimen moved through the water would 

 coincide with the capabilities of a member of this genus ; for the mo- 

 tive power produced by such an extent of tail, coupled with the ex- 

 tremely compressed form of body from the head throughout, must 

 be immense. 



"Here, then, we have a partial elucidation of the various statements 

 which have at intervals appeared in the columns of the united presses 

 of England and America, emanating from the pens of travellers, and 

 usually headed • Occurrence of the Great Sea Serpent,' — criticised, 

 however, in an ungenerous manner, and always exposed to an un- 

 merited ridicule at the hands of the many, but nevertheless firmly 

 believed in by the few, who have patiently waited to see the day 

 when the mystic cloud which has hitherto veiled the existence of the 

 maned denizen of the deep should vanish with the suspicion of the 

 sceptic, and exhibit more clearly the truth of the assertions of those 

 ill-used men, who, endeavouring like useful members of society to 

 extend the cause of natural knowledge by publishing candid accounts 

 of what their eyes have seen, have always met with an amount of 

 contempt and reproach sufficient to silence for ever the pen of many 

 a truthful writer. 



" I am sorry I have not the number of the • Illustrated London 

 News ' at hand in which Capt. M'Quhae's graphic statement ap- 

 peared, as it would have afforded me an opportunity of particulariz- 

 ing other features in connexion with his specimen and the present 

 one. The facts, however, regarding the mane-like appendage, and 

 the rapidity of motion to which I have alluded, are still fresh in my 

 memory. 



" My best thanks are due to Mr. George Trimingham, the capturer, 

 for the generous manner in which he placed the fish at my disposal.' ' 



