Mermaid of the Shetland Seas: 57 



so that, by one or other of the kinds observed, or a combination 

 of them, perhaps the different varieties of red-snow described by 

 Captain Parry might have been produced. At all events, when 

 the effect of the coloured water upon the ice in known cases 

 was so analogous to what Captain Parry describes (the particu- 

 lar shade of colour only being different) we have a very strong 

 presumption that the cause was similar. And as the peculiar 

 situation ascribed to the red-snow of Captain Parry was always 

 such (as far as this circumstance is named) as would with every 

 probability occur, if the colouring matter were derived from the 

 sea, and thrown upon the ice by the waves, or admitted upon 

 the surface through interior orifices, there seems no reason what- 

 ever to doubt that the colour was entirely of an animal, and not 

 a vegetable nature. For Captain Parry remarks, that the co- 

 loured substance was generally turned up in the soft snow by 

 the passage of the sledge-boats ; and that, in one case, where 

 it was seen upon floes, it always occurred near the margin. 

 And such precisely are the circumstances in which any animal 

 matter suspended in the sea would be likely to be deposited upon 

 the floating ice around. 



Ti ,tci 2%^ Mermaid of the Shetland Seas. 



That there exists in our seas a remarkable animal, which has 

 occasionally been seen, and recognized by the name of Mermaid, 

 seems a fact well established. This popular name, however, 

 being connected with many absurd fables, is calculated to excite 

 a sneer, although Illiger, Cuvier, and other naturalists, have in 

 some measure sanctioned it, by adopting Halicm'a (sea-girl) as a 

 generic denomination. . In addition to former evidence of the 

 existence of this uncommon marine animal, we may notice a well 

 authenticated instance which occurred a few years ago off the 

 Shetland Islands. 



The crew of a fishing-boat, when at the hoafox deep-sea fish- 

 ing, above thirty miles from land, upon drawing in their ling 

 and tusk lines, were not a little surprised to find that they had 

 hooked by the back of the neck, and brought alongside, an ani- 

 mal of a singular aspect. They mustered resolution enough to 



