'THE GREAT SEA SERPENT: 267 



In the previous chapter the distinguishing characteristics 

 of the true marine snakes were described, and I feel more 

 disposed to agree with Dr. Andrew Wilson when he says, 

 * or for the matter of that, in the existenee of elistinct species of 

 monster sea serpents^ than in the development of a small 

 venomous one into an amazing constrictor. Except the 

 ' monster.' Why should not the gigantic forms be perfect 

 in themselves, with an inherited anatomical structure ? In 

 volume xviii. of Nature, 1878, Dr. Andrew Wilson again 

 discusses the sea serpent, and thus concludes: *. . . and 

 as a firm believer from the standpoint of zoology that the 

 large development of the marine ophidians of warmer seas 

 offers the true explanation of the sea-serpent mystery.' 



Their physical constitution, then, as well as structure, must 

 have very much changed to enable them to exist so far from 

 the tropics. 



And still there are the creatures with flippers, and flappers, 

 and fins to decide upon. And then the gigantic salamander 

 with a hundred and fifty feet of tail ! But these not being 

 ophidians, and certainly not 'sea serpents,' must not intrude 

 themselves here. 



In their enormous development alone the supporters of 

 Darwin may justly exult, for surely in them we shall see 

 ' the survival of the fittest.' 



/-^ 



v-^:^;?^^ 



