THE KRAKEN. 33l 



about the coasts of European Seas. A modern 

 Naturalist chooses to distinguish this tremendous 

 species by the title of the Colossal Cuttle-fish, and 

 seems amply disposed to believe all that has been 

 related of its ravages. A Northern navigator, of 

 the name of Dens, is said, some years ago, to have 

 lost three of his men in the African Seas by a 

 monster of this kind, which unexpectedly made 

 its appearance while these men were employed, 

 during a calm, in raking the sides of the vessel. 

 The Colossal-fish seized three men in its arms, and 

 drew them under water, in spite of every effort to 

 preserve them : the thickness of one of the arms, 

 which was cut off in the contest, was that of a 

 mizzen-mast, and the suckers of the size of pot- 

 lids."* 



But the most zealous author who treats of this ani- 

 mal is undoubtedly Denys Montfort. In his work 

 on the Natural History of the Mollusca there are 

 many instances mentioned of its occurrence in va- 

 rious parts of the world, the particulars of which he 

 was so fortunate as to procure from those who were 

 eye-witnesses of what he relates. He gives in de- 

 tail the circumstances above alluded to by Dr Shaw 

 from the account as supplied by Dens himself; and, 

 among other instances, he mentions that at St Malo, 

 in the chapel of St Thomas, there is an ex voto, or 

 picture deposited there by the crew of a vessel, in 

 remembrance of their wonderful preservation during 



* Shaw's Lectures, vol. ii. p. 137. 



