332 THE KRAKEN. 



a similar attack off the coast of Angola. (See Plate 

 XXX.) An enormous Cuttle-fish suddenly threw its 

 arms across the vessel, and was on the point of drag- 

 ging it to the bottom, when the continued efforts of 

 the crew succeeded in cutting off the tentacula with 

 swords and hatchets. During the period of their great- 

 est danger, they invoked the aid of St Thomas, and 

 being successful in freeing themselves from their 

 dreadful opponent, on their return home they went 

 in procession to the chapel, and offered up their 

 thanksgivings. They also procured a painter to 

 represent, as accurately as possible, their encounter, 

 and the danger which at the moment threatened 

 the termination of their existence. 



Nor have later times failed in supplying additional 

 testimonies as to the existence of this animal, quite 

 as decided, but unfortunately not more satisfactory. 

 The last of these notices we have seen bears date 

 1 834, and is couched in the following terms :* 

 Upon the 22d of June, in lat. 46 57', long. 58 

 39', Captain Neill, of the ship Robertson of Green- 

 ock, then upon a voyage from Monlrose to Green- 

 ock, saw the head and snout of a great sea monster, 

 of which a sketch was drawn at the time. It was 

 first observed at about a quarter past nine A.M. on 

 the weather-bow, about four points, and it then ap- 

 peared like a large vessel lying on her beam-ends. 

 The Robertson was hauled up so as to near it : and 

 running at the rate of eight knots an hour, she at 



* Mag. of Zool. and Bot. vol. i. 414. 



