1864.] MR, A. NEWTON ON THE ZOOLOGY OF SPITSBERGEN. 499 
at the same spot, did the like, and exactly in the same manner. 
While viewing this singular proceeding (and I had many opportuni- 
ties of doing so), I could not but be struck with the plausibility of 
one of the suggested explanations of the appearance which has ob- 
tained so wide-spread a notoriety under the name of the ‘‘ Great Sea 
Serpent.” If any rule of the game in which Pagophilus grenlandi- 
cus loves to indulge ever would permit the leading Seal to swim (say) 
one-third out of water, as I have often seen Phoca barbata do, I 
could quite understand any person, not an unromantic naturalist, on 
witnessing for the first time such a sight as I have tried to describe, 
honestly believing that the mythical monster was actually before his 
eyes. I never had the opportunity of closely examining a “‘Springer;”’ 
but one learned immediately to distinguish this species from the 
other two I have mentioned: not only its wonderful activity in the 
water, but its elongated head (even when the size of its body, just 
about intermediate between P. darbata and Callocephalus fetidus, 
was not to be ascertained) was quite sufficient for that purpose. 
This species resorts in great numbers to the ice in the neighbourhood 
of Jan Mayen, whence one of its common names; and in former 
years several vessels were annually equipped at Tromsdé and Ham- 
merfest in pursuit of it; but I believe that of late this practice has 
been a good deal discontinued. 
Although none of our party were lucky enough to get a glimpse 
of a Walrus, I cannot refrain from mentioning here some circum- 
stances connected with the history and habits of that curious and 
mighty beast. It is pretty well known that in the summer of 1853 
a living example was deposited in our Gardens, which, however, after 
a few days languished and died, probably from having been fed on 
a diet so unnatural to it as oatcake*. Yet this is by no means the 
only instance of this animal being brought alive to England. So 
long ago as 1608, the ship ‘God-speed,’ commanded by Master 
Thomas Welden, performed a voyage to Cherie, now commonly 
called Bear Island, and in the account of the expedition it is 
written— 
«On the twelfth [July] we took into our ship two young Moises, 
male and female, aliue: the female died before we came into England: 
the male liued about ten weeks. When wee had watered, we set sayle 
for England about foure of the clocke in the morning. * * * 
«The twentieth of August, wee arriued at London; and hauing 
dispatched some priuate businesse, we brought our liuing Morse to 
the Court, where the king and many honourable personages beheld 
it with admiration for the strangenesse of the same, the like whereof 
had neuer before beene seene aliue in Hngland. Not long after it 
fell sicke and died. As the beaste in shape is very strange, so is it 
of strange docilitie and apt to be taught, as by good experience we 
often proued’’ +, 
* See ‘ Zoological Sketches,’ by J. Wolf; edited by P.L.Sclater. Cf. also J. E. 
Gray, P. Z. S. 1853, p. 112. 
+ Haxiuytus Postaumus or PurcuHAs us Pinerimes, &c. By Samuel 
Purchas, B.D. London: 1624, vol. iii. p. 560. 
