2928 Makes. 



thought it hest to retreat for the shore ; on our landing, Mr. W. Silk, who was armed 

 with a double-barrelled gun, discharged both barrels at the monster, but without 

 effect. I need not describe his appearance, as you are aware of it before, but from in- 

 quiries from various boatmen I am told he has been off the harbour the last three 

 days." — "John Good, of Kinsale," in Cork Reporter, Sep. 11. 



The next account states that a party encountered the monster in Ballycotton Bay, 

 fired into him, and made him disgorge a school of fishes, some of which fell into the 

 boat, and being handled, gave the crew the most terrific electric shocks ; whereupon 

 the naturalist of the party immediately concluded, and I think, with great judgment, 

 that the Sea Serpent is neither more nor less than the electric eel (Gymnotw electri- 

 cus). 



The last account published in London, only this day (September 24), records his 

 capture and death at Youghal, in the county of Cork, together with full admeasure- 

 ments, and the names of the parties concerned in the gallant achievement. 



There was something that struck me as unsatisfactory about several parts of this 

 highly exciting narrative. One o'clock in the morning, and without the assistance of 

 a moon, was rather a strange time to make such exact observations. Again, about 

 the scales ; why not send some to London or Dublin ? — why keep them at the light- 

 house ? And again, the bearing of Kinsale Bay did not quite correspond with my re- 

 membrance of the place : so I epistolized the chief actors, and particularly entreated 

 Mr. Travers to send me a handful of scales, and a more detailed account: alas ! there 

 was no response. After awhile I bethought myself of a friend in London who cor- 

 responds with the accountant of the Provincial Bank at Bandon. To this gentleman 

 my friend, with prompt kindness, applied, and I have now the pleasure of laying his 

 most explicit answer before the readers of the 'Zoologist.' 



" Dear Sir, — In reply to your note relative to the Sea Serpent, there is not one 

 word of truth in the statements put forward in the newspapers : there is no such person 

 as Roger W. Travers, but there is a person named James W. Travers, to whom I be- 

 lieve it has been done to annoy (and indeed with great effect). Mr. Thomson's family 

 have been staying in the neighbourhood, but do not hear a word of it, except what is 

 to be seen in the papers about it. Dear Sir, yours truly, H. O'Callaghan." 

 " Bandon, Sep. 18, 1850." 



Any comment on this would be superfluous. 



Edward Newman. 



Capture of a Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) near Peterborough. — A specimen of the 

 swordfish, about seven feet in length, was taken in the river Nen, below Peterborough, 

 about the latter end of August, and was exhibited in that town for some days after. — 

 Alfred Newton; Elveden Hall, Thetford, September 13, 1850. 



Particulars of the Sunfish taken at Torquay. — As the sunfish mentioned in the 

 ' Zoologist' (Zool. 2881) as having been caught off Torbay was a much larger speci- 

 men than usually occurs, perhaps a few more particulars concerning it may be accept- 

 able. The animal, when floating on the water about two miles off Berry Head, was 



