232 DIVISION I. VEKTEBRAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



pleasure, something like a crest. Tiie inferior part of the boily was like a 

 fisli. The skin was smooth, and of a gray culor. It oftered no resistance, 

 uor attempted to bite, but uttered a low, plaintive sound. The crew, six in 

 number, took it into their boat, but superstition getting the better of ciui- 

 osity, they returned it to its native element. It instantly dived, descending 

 in a perpendicular direction." 



Counuenting on the above statement, Mr. Edmonston remarks, "That a 

 very peculiar animal has been taken, no one can doubt. It was seen and 

 handled by six men, on one occasion, and for some time, not one of whom 

 dreams of a doubt of its being a mermaid. If it were su^jposed that their 

 fears magnified its resemblance to the human form, it nmst, at all events, be 

 admitted that there was some eround for excitinir these fears. But no such 

 fears were likely to be entertained ; for the mermaid is not an object of ter- 

 ror to the fisherman ; it is rather a welcome guest, and danger is apprehended 

 oidy from its experiencing bad treatment. The usual resources of scepti- 

 cism, that the seals and other sea animals, appearing under certain circum- 

 stances, operating upon an excited imagination, and so producing ocular 

 illusion, cannot avail here. It is quite impossible that six Shetland fisher- 

 men could commit such a mistake." 



V\ e should conclude from the above that j\Ir. Edmonston was quite a 

 believer in the reality of this mythical race; but with all due respect for the 

 opinion of so distinguished a man, we must say that we see nothing what- 

 e\er in the report of those fishermen which would lead to the belief that 

 the animal was other than a seal. They were ignorant men, and probably 

 never befoi-e had had an opportunity of inspecting a specimen of the seal 

 tribe immediately under their eyes. They were superstitious, too, and 

 ajiparcntly much moved by fear, as they hastened to rid themselves of the 

 creature as speedily as possible. 



Pontop[iidan's Natural History of Norway supplies the following informa- 

 tion in regard to an animal which was called a merman, oliserved by some 

 sailors aliout a mile from the coast of Denmark, near Landserone. It 

 appeared at first like a dead body floating upon the water. ^\'hen they 

 came within seven or eight fathoms, it still was motionless ; on advancing a 

 few feet farther towards it, the merman instantly sunk, but innncdiately 

 reappeared nearly in the same [ilace. Through fear they then lay still, and 

 suffered the boat to float, that they might the better examine the monster, 

 which, by the lielj) of the current, came nearer and nearer to them. He 

 turned his face and stared at them, which gave them a good oppoi'tunity for 

 observing him narrowly. He stood in the same place for seven or eight 

 minutes, and was seen above the water breast high. At last they grew 

 apprehcnsi\ e of some danger, and began to retire ; upon which the animal 



