2310 Reptiles. 



same animal as the Kraken, or rather from the names having been used indiscrimi- 

 nately. 



" In concluding this hurried statement, allow me to add my own testimony as to 

 the existence of a large fish or reptile of cylindrical form (I will not say sea-serpent). 

 Three years ago, while becalmed in a yacht between Bergen and Sogn, in Norway, I 

 saw (at about a quarter of a mile astern) what appeared to be a large fish ruffling the 

 otherwise smooth surface of the fjord, and, on looking attentively, I observed what 

 looked like the convolutions of a snake. I immediately got my glass, and distinctly 

 made out three convolutions, which drew themselves slowly through the water ; the 

 greatest diameter was about ten or twelve inches. No head, was visible, and from the 

 size of each convolution I supposed the length to be about thirty feet. The master of 

 my yacht (who, as navigator, seaman and fisherman, had known the Norwegian coast 

 and North Sea for many years), as well as a friend who was with me, an experienced 

 Norwegian sportsman and porpoise-shooter, saw the same appearance at the same time, 

 and formed the same opinion as to form and size. I mention the fact of my friend 

 being a porpoise-shooter, as many have believed that a shoal of porpoises following 

 each other has given rise to the fable, as they called it, of the sea-serpent. J. D. 

 Moeries Stirling ; to Captain Hamilton, R.N., Secretary to the Admiralty." — ' Il- 

 lustrated London News,' October 28, 1848. 



The Great Sea-Serpent. — " With regard to the existence of the so-called sea-ser- 

 pent, I would beg to remark, that, although it is highly improbable that an ophidian, 

 or true snake, of the dimensions and marine habits described by our voyagers, now 

 exists, yet there is nothing to forbid the supposition that there are unknown living- 

 forms of cartilaginous fishes, presenting the general configuration and proportions of 

 the animals figured in the last Number of the ' Illustrated London News.' — Gideon 

 Algernon Mantcll, in ' Illustrated London News,'' November 4, 1848. 



The Great Sea-Serpent. — " I have never entertained a doubt regarding the exist- 

 ence of some unknown animal of vast dimensions, whose angel-visits have astonished 

 the fortunate observers or excited the incredulous smile of the authorities of science. 



" No one inclined, I believe, to give due importance to the known facts of geology, 

 can entertain the probability of any relationship between ' the great sea-serpent ' and 

 the extinct Plesiosauri ; nor do the recorded phenomena require such an hypothesis. 



" Reasoning from the known occurrence of a huge cartilaginous fish (Squalus) on 

 our Orcadian shores, I am of opinion that when caught the sea-serpent will turn out 

 to be a shark ; and I conceive it is just as probable that a shark may carry the head 

 for short periods out of the water, as that the flying fishes should occasionally step 

 aboard to look at us land-monsters. 



" It is always unsafe to deny positively any phenomena that may be wholly or in 

 part inexplicable ; and hence I am content to believe that one day the question will 

 be satisfactorily solved. Might we not obtain some information from the accurate 

 Sars regarding the Norwegian tradition ? Could not the surgeon of the Daedalus 

 throw some light on the subject?" — A. G. Melville ;* London, November (3, 1848. 



The Great Sea-Serpent. — " Amidst the numerous suggestions of those of your cor- 

 respondents who are disposed to admit the account given by Captain M'Quhas of the 



* In a private letter to Dr. Cogswell, but published with permission of both gen- 

 tlemen. 



