THE KRAKEN PONTOPPIDON. 



Kraken, Kraxen, Krabben, and Horvcn, Ancker-Trold, 

 Wormius, Pontoppidon. Scandinavian Writers. 



WE now proceed to make a few remarks upon the 

 other sea monster to which we alluded in the Intro- 

 duction of this volume, viz. the Kraken, which, of 

 all other reputed animals, is perhaps the most in- 

 volved in mystery and obscurity. Though regarded 

 by Olaus, Wormius, and other early writers, as a 

 species of Whale, there seems to be no good ground 

 for this opinion. The statements of the Ancients 

 concerning this animal are so exaggerated, that we 

 will not try the patience of our readers by copying 

 them, but as an example merely we quote that of 

 Pliny ; " Jn Gaditano oceana arbor est, in tantum 

 vastis dispensa ramis, ut ex ea causa fritum nun- 

 quam intrasse credatur."* The belief in this mon- 

 ster is, however, universal among the sailors and 

 fishermen of the Norwegian coast, and it has been 

 alluded to by all the Scandinavian writers from the 



* Lib. ii. cap. 4. 



