2804 Proceedings of the Linnean Society. 



fellow has got into close quarters, and if he does not make a sudden and fortunate 

 dash, has nothing hetter than offering himself as an oblation on the altar of science :- 

 Beaufort, March 15, 1850. The report of Captain Bankenship and passengers has 

 been veriaed by many other witnesses. This formidable sea-monster has been seen 

 again to-day, we understand, in our waters. When discovered by those on board the 

 steamer, 'his eminence' was in Port Royal Sound, a distance of seven ore.ght miles 

 from this town. Since that time he has been lazily making his way up Broad River, 

 and was seen by a gentleman, we understand, to-day in White Branch River, an arm 

 of the Broad. He is reported to be making his way higher up still, when, perhaps he 

 may be captured. He is described as being from 120 to 150 feet in length, and of 

 proportionate bulk; has the head of a serpent, which he carries when in motion, 

 five or six feet out of the water. About ten feet from his head is a hump, resembling 

 a huge hogshead, and as far as he could be seen out of the water a succession of humps 

 was observed. He was pursued for several miles along the bank of the river, at times 

 the party in pursuit coming very near to him. He was shot at with a rifle and shot 

 gun which had the effect of making him timid, and caused him to sink below the sur- 

 face' of the water when nearly approached. We understand that a party from this 

 place has been made up to capture him, if possible. The plan is to man two large 

 flats with a cannon to each, one going below where he is represented to be and the 

 other above, and then approach each other, and, when he is discovered, to fare into 

 him In this way he may be taken if, peradventure, he does not take them first. 1 he 

 Whale Branch is not more than 100 yards wide, and there is every probability of an 

 animated conflict with this king of the waters within his own dominions ; and I sup- 

 pose it is admitted that the battle must be waged upon his own terms. The Charles- 

 town Courier ' has a letter from Beaufort, of the same date, and of a similar tenour, to 

 which is appended the following :-' Information has j ust reached us that the said sea- 

 serpent is ashore at the mouth of Skull Creek. If so, the prize is certain, and 

 Beaufort immortalized."' The London papers have repeated all th.s, intermixed 

 with a perfect flood of wit: the shafts of which are directed against believers and un- 

 believers in a very pleasing and impartial manner. Is it still a hoax, or a Brachiop- 

 tilon Hamiltoni?— Edward, Newman; London, April 20, 1850. 



Proceedings of the Linnean Society. 



March 19 1850.— Robert Brown, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the chair. 



Sir William Hooker communicated a paper, consisting of notices of some 

 plants brought home by H.M.S. Herald, lately employed in search of Sir John 

 Franklin. 



April 2 1850.— Robert Brown, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the chair. 



Mr Miers read a paper "On the Natural Order of Plants Trimaceae,' and de- 

 scribed three new genera and several species, which have been found in the old and 

 new continents : the names of the genera are Sciaphila, Hyalisma, and Londium. 



