2i8 SEA FABLES EXPLAINED. 



much ignorance on this subject as had prevailed at any 

 former period.* 



In the year 1797, Mr. Munro, schoolmaster of Thurso, -affirmed that 

 he had seen " a figure like a naked female, sitting on a rock projecting 

 into the sea, at Sandside Head, in the parish of Reay. Its head was 

 covered with long, thick, light-brown hair, flowing down on the 

 shoulders. The forehead was round, the face plump, and the cheeks 

 ruddy. The mouth and lips resembled those of a human being, and 

 the eyes were blue. The arms, fingers, breast, and abdomen were as 

 large as those of a full-grown female," and, altogether, 



" That sea- nymph's form of pearly light 

 Was whiter than the downy spray, 

 And round her bosom, heaving bright, 

 Her glossy yellow ringlets play."f 



" This creature," continued Mr. Munro, " was apparently in the act 

 of combing its hair with its fingers, which seemed to afford it pleasure, 

 and it remained thus occupied during some minutes, when it dropped 

 into the sea." 



The Dominie 



"saw the maiden there, 

 Just as the daylight faded, 

 Braiding her locks of gowden hair 

 An' singing as she braided," % 



but he did not remark whether the fingers were webbed. 

 On the whole, he infers that this was a marine animal of 

 which he had a distinct and satisfactory view, and that 

 the portion seen by him bore a narrow resemblance to the 

 human form. But for the dangerous situation it had 

 chosen, and its appearance among the waves, he would 

 have supposed it to be a woman. Twelve years later, 

 several persons observed near the same spot an animal 

 which they, also, supposed to be a mermaid. 



* Naturalist's Library, Marine Amphibiae, p. 291. 



t John Leyden. 



I The Ettrick Shepherd. 



