132 On the Sea-Serpent of the American Seas, 



was satisfied of the existence of the serpent, though he con- 

 tinued doubtful of the relationship between the small snake, 

 (Fig. 1. of the Linnean pamphlet) and the large serpent. 



" During this visit I distinctly remember the news coming 

 from Nahaut one morning, of the serpent being in the bay of 

 that place, distant about sixteen miles from Boston. Many 

 hurried down to see it, and among them my brother Mr James 

 Boott. I was prevented from some cause leaving Boston. My 

 brother reported that he distinctly saw a large serpent, about 

 a mile from the shore ; and that thousands were watching its 

 motion on the beach and rocks. The first idea that occurred 

 to my brother was that it was a horse swimming, its head at 

 the time bearing a resemblance to that of the latter creature. 

 He afterwards saw the undulating line of its back, and remain- 

 ed several hours watching the animal. Colonel Perkins of 

 Boston, his wife, and family, were present at this time, as far 

 as I recollect. I remember also that a letter appeared in the 

 Boston Centinel soon after, published by an officer in the Ame- 

 rican navy, who reported that, on his return from a survey of 

 some part of the coast, he saw, when out of sight of land, a 

 large serpent. He was so near that he drew an outline of it, 

 and that outline accompanied the paragraph. When you 

 showed me Mr Warburton's figure on the card, I at first thought 

 it was a copy of that in the Centinel. I can only add, for 

 your own satisfaction, that / have no doubt of the existence 

 of this remarkable animal. 



" I remain yours affectionately, 



" Francis Boott. 



" Gower Street, Bedford Square, 

 " London, Nov. 4, 1826." 



We sincerely hope that these few bare facts may satisfy all 

 upon this much agitated question; at least we think they 

 must remove the ideal connection between our serpent, and 



" That sea-snake, enormous curled, 

 Whose monstrous circle girds the world." 



It can now no longer be considered in association with hy- 

 dras and mermaids, for there has been nothing said with re- 

 gard to it inconsistent with reason. It may at least be assum- 



