244 SALM0NIA. 



Hands and a finny tail are entirely contrary 

 to the analogy of nature, and I disbelieve 

 the mermaid upon philosophical principles. 

 The dugong and manatee are the only ani- 

 mals combining the functions of the mam- 

 malia with some of the characters of fishes, 

 that can be imagined even as a link in this 

 part of the order of nature. Many of these 

 stories have been founded upon the long- 

 haired seal seen at a distance, and others on 

 the appearance of the common seal under 

 particular circumstances of light and shade, 

 and some on still more singular circum- 

 stances. A worthy baronet, remarkable for 

 his benevolent views and active spirit, has 

 propagated a story of this kind, and he 

 seems to claim for his native country the 

 honour of possessing this extraordinary 

 animal; but the mermaid of Caithness was 

 certainly a gentleman, who happened to be 

 travelling on that wild shore, and who was 

 seen bathing by some young ladies at so 

 great a distance, that not only genus but 

 gender was mistaken. I am acquainted with 

 him, and have had the story from his own 



