20 Fish Stories 



stories, ancient and modern, collected, a large volume would 

 not contain them. Best of all, there are many modern in- 

 stances in which the sea serpent has been observed by men 

 whose word is beyond dispute. It is astonishing how easily 

 good men may be deceived, in matters in which they have 

 no technical knowledge, and in which they have had no 

 training. 



Of course, Olaus Magnus is prepared for the sea ser- 

 pent. At one stroke of his pen, he creates a sea serpent, 

 which in size, and appetite, has never been equaled. 

 Listen : 



" They who Work on Navigation, on the Coasts of Nor- 

 way, employ themselves in fishing, or merchandise, do all 

 agree in this strange Story, that there is a Serpent there, 

 which is of a Vast Magnitude, namely 200 feet long, and 

 moreover, 20 feet thick; and is wont to live in Rocks and 

 Caves toward the Sea Coast about Berge; which will go 

 alone from his holes on a clear night in Summer, and 

 devour Calves, Lambs, and Hogs, or else he goes into the 

 Sea to feed on Polypus, Locusts, and all sorts of Sea Crabs. 



" He hath commonly hair hanging from his neck a cubit 

 long, and sharp Scales, and is black, and he hath flaming 

 shining eyes. This Snake disquiets the Skippers, and he 

 puts up his head on high like a pillar, and catcheth away 

 men, and he devours them; and this hapnath not, but it 

 signifies some wonderful change of the Kingdom near at 

 hand; namely, that the Princes shall die or be banished; or 

 some Tumultous Wars shall presently follow." 



" There is also another Serpent of an incredible magni- 

 tude in a town called Moos, of the Diocese of Hammer; 

 which, as a comet portends a change in all the World, so, 

 that portends a change in the Kingdom of Norway, as it was 

 seen, Anno 1552, that lifts himself high above the Waters, 

 and rouls himself round like a sphere. This Serpent was 

 thought to be fifty Cubits long by conjecture, by sight afar 

 off; there followed this the banishment of King Christiams, 



