372 Miscellanies. 
objectionable to any considerable degree if at all. You will percieve 
that the coat of this plant is much thicker as well as softer and more 
silky than that of hemp. Whether the fibres be sufficiently fine for 
fabrics of the finest texture, remains to be ascertained, but I am confi- 
dent it will prove itself to be at least a valuable material for the man- 
ufacture of paper. 
The plant is of a robust and healthy character, and is easily grown 
in all the good soil of our country. It is also highly productive in 
seed, and being a perennial, might be raised with great facility in a 
long succession of crops on the same ground, and, as I should believe, 
with less labor and a greater product than either hemp or flax. 
If my present views of the properties of this plant are not visionary, 
I cannot but indulge a hope that the culture of it may be made use- 
ful to our country. 
Yours very respectfully. SamueL Wooprurr. 
Remark by the Elitor.—This vegetable material, judging from 
the specimens sent, appears to deserve all the commendation be- 
stowed upon it above. 
— 28, A Sea Serpent.—The following statement having been made 
by a gentleman of great intelligence and candor, a cool and judicious 
observer, who has travelled very extensively and traversed the seas 
in many climates, the editor desired a written notice of the facts 
which he is permitted to publish without the name of the author; 
with him he is however well acquainted and reposes full confidence 
in his integrity and in his freedom from any influence of imagination. 
Boston, April 5th, 1835. 
To Pror. Sittiman,— Dear Sir,—On my passage from the Riv- 
er La Plata to this country in January, 1824, latitude 34!° South, 
and 48° West longitude, I saw what was first supposed to be a fish 
called an Albicore ; but, on further examination it was discovered to 
be a serpent of which I cannot give a clearer description than to say 
that a common dark colored land snake is, in miniature, a perfect rep- 
resentation. A light breeze prevailed at the time and the sea was 
quite smooth. It first appeared within ten feet of the vessel, its 
head was, perhaps, two feet above the water and appeared as large 
as a ten gallon keg; the eye was distinctly seen. ‘The whole length 
of the serpent was about half the length of the vessel, say 40 feet. 
The size and circumference of the body, was nearly as large as a bar- 
rel; nothing like afin was seen. I could not make out the distinct ap- 
