290 HERBIVOROUS CETACEA. 



hours, and seemed to increase as the ship sailed 

 from it. I never heard any noise whatever that 

 approached so near those sounds which proceed 

 from the organs of utterance in the human species." 

 Captain C. subsequently mentions that one man 

 was so panic-struck, that had he been much longer 

 in landing he would certainly have died.* And 

 finally, to bring these narratives to a close " A 

 boat's crew," says Captain Weddell, " were employ- 

 ed in Hall's Island, when one of the crew, left to take 

 care of some produce, saw an animal whose voice 

 was even musical. The sailor had lain down, and 

 about ten o'clock he heard a noise resembling hu- 

 man cries ; and as day-light in these latitudes never 

 disappears at this season, he rose and looked round ; 

 but, on seeing no person, returned to bed ; presently 

 he heard the noise again ; rose a second time, but 

 still saw nothing. Conceiving, however, the possi- 

 bility of a boat being upset, and that some of the 

 crew might be clinging to some detached rocks, he 

 walked along the beach a few steps, and heard the 

 noise more distinctly, but in a musical strain. Upon 

 searching round he saw an object lying on a rock 

 a dozen yards from the shore, at which he was some- 

 what frightened. The face and shoulders appeared 

 cf human form, and of a reddish colour ; over the 

 shoulders hung long green hair ; the tail resembled 

 that of the Seal, but the extremities of the arms he 

 couid not see distinctly, 'ine creature continued 



Voyag . to tne South Atlantic London, 1793. 



