8 Fish Stories 



of a fish, was caught in a storm at Edam, Holland, in 1404. 

 She was converted to Christianity, and died a good Catholic 

 many years after, all of which is very delightful to contem- 

 plate. 



Among all the fish story-tellers of the olden times, Olaus 

 Magnus rose most completely to the occasion. Discussing 

 " The Horrible Monsters of the Coast of Norway," what 

 could be more striking than this ? " Their forms are horrible* 

 their heads square, all set with prickles, and they have sharp 

 long horns round about, like a tree rooted up by the roots ; 

 they are ten or twelve Cubits long, very black and with huge 

 eyes, the Compass whereof (i. e., of the fish), is above eight 

 or ten Cubits : the apple of the eye is of one Cubit, and is 

 red and fiery coloured, which in the dark night appears to 

 Fisher-men afar off under Waters, as a burning Fire, having 

 hairs like Goose-Feathers, thick and long, like a beard hang- 

 ing down the rest of the body, for the greatness of the head, 

 which is square, is very small, not being above fourteen or 

 fifteen Cubits long. One of these Sea Monsters will drown 

 easily, many great ships, provided with strong Marriners." 



An excellent cut of this monster is given, and it is inter- 

 esting to note the body of a whale, the tentacles of the big 

 squid, or cuttle fish, and the head of a hair-seal. 



Another fish known to Olaus Magnus, suggests the attri- 

 butes of a fire-engine. It was two hundred cubits long and 

 very cruel. It had an extraordinary habit of standing on its 

 tail high above the yards, and spouting, in vast Hoods 

 above its head, water which had previously been sucked in. 

 A school of these living water towers, says Magnus, " would 

 easily destroy a fleet, or," at least " expose the Marriners to 

 extream danger." 



Olaus Magnus, however, gives us the remedy for the at- 

 tack of this animal : " A Trumpet of War is the fit remedy 

 against him, by reason of the sharp noise, which he cannot 

 endure. Sometimes," says Olaus, " not content to do hurt 

 by water only, he will cruelly overthrow the ship." The ac- 



