MR STIRLING'S EVIDENCE. 319 



the fossil reptiles somewhat approaching the sea-serpent 

 in size and other characteristics, the orbit is very large ; 

 and, in this respect, as well as in having short paws or 

 flappers, the descriptions of the Northern sea-serpents 

 agree with the supposed appearance of some of the 

 antediluvian species/' This important identification had 

 been suggested (probably, however, without Mr Stirling's 

 knowledge) nearly two years before, by Mr E. Newman, 

 F.L.S., the able editor of the Zoologist* 



The most valuable portion of Mr Stirling's communica- 

 tion is its closing paragraph: "In concluding this hurried 

 statement, allow me to add my own testimony as to the 

 existence of a large fish or reptile of cylindrical form. (I 

 will not say sea-serpent.) Three years ago, while becalmed 

 in a yacht between Bergen and Sogn in Norway, I saw 

 (at about a quarter of a mile astern) what appeared to be 

 a large fish ruffling the otherwise smooth surface of the 

 fjord, and, on looking attentively, I observed what looked 

 like the convolutions of a snake. I immediately got my 

 glass, and distinctly made out three convolutions, which 

 drew themselves slowly through the water ; the greatest 

 diameter was about ten or twelve inches. No head was 

 visible, and from the size of each convolution I supposed 

 the length to be about thirty feet. The master of my 

 yacht, (who, as navigator, seaman, and fisherman, had 

 known the Norwegian coast and North Sea for many 



* To the philosophic candour" with ^hich the Zoologist has been 

 opened to reports and discussions on such mooted questions as these, 

 natural history is much indebted. Not a little of the evidence adduced 

 in this chapter 1 have derived thence. 



