INTRODUCTION. 39 



most remarkable of these creatures are the SEA-SER- 

 PENT and the KRAKEN ; and, as some allusion to these 

 animals would naturally be expected in the Natural- 

 ist's Library, so no occasion could be found so 

 eligible as the present. The Amphibia, then, and 

 the herbivorous Cete, the Sea-Serpent and Kraken, 

 will form, at least, a natural combination. 



These creatures must prove a peculiarly interest- 

 ing subject to every inquiring mind. Most of our 

 readers are probably aware, that some of these ani- 

 mals constitute the ground-work of the many strange 

 stories which, from age to age, have been current 

 concerning Sirens, Mermen. Mermaids, &c. Very 

 decidedly, we say, that these were not, and are not, 

 altogether baseless figments, though much error 

 prevailed, and sober truth was obscured. Every 

 intelligent individual will be forward to inquire 

 which of these animals is the type of these far-famed 

 and ill-defined beings ; and, we may here state, in 

 a word, that we shall take an opportunity of an- 

 swering this question, and of showing that several 

 distinct kinds of animals have given rise to these 

 interesting narratives 



The truth is, that much remains to be done in 

 elucidation of all the groups of which we propose to 

 treat ; and, certainly, not least of the Seals. Most 

 individuals must have heard of the fleets that are 

 fitted out to hunt these creatures within the Ant- 

 arctic, as well as the Arctic Zone. One species 

 extends to the length of twenty-five and thirty feet, 

 with a more than ordinary proportionate bulk, so 



