256 THE GREAT SEA-SERPENT. 



remained constantly during this summer near Storfosen, at 

 the Kergvang Islands. Several fishermen have been so 

 dreadfully alarmed at the sudden appearance of the Ser- 

 pent so near their boats, that they did not know in what 

 direction to escape. The Serpent did not attack, but fol- 

 lowed the boat for some distance, and the men in their 

 haste so over exerted themselves, that two were confined 

 to their beds. Very credible persons affirm that the length 

 of the Sea-Serpent may be taken at 600 or 800 ells, or 

 perhaps more, for when these people were near its head, 

 they could not discern its tail. Its greatest thickness is 

 close to the head. These observations were made very 

 clearty within these few days, amongst others, by a cred- 

 ible, sensible man, who, with his two sons, was on our 

 island where they landed, and where the Serpent, after 

 following their boat, swam slowly by." 



With these extracts, and without farther comment, we 

 close our account of the Great Sea-Serpent, only remark- 

 ing, that till favoring circumstances bring the animal under 

 the examination of naturalists, the satisfaction, which is 

 desiderated respecting it, is scarcely to be expected 



