3756 Reptiles. 



widely dispersed over the globe, that it is abundant in Australia and in some of the 

 South Sea Islands, and is also found on nearly the whole length of the American 

 coasts, the only wonder is that it has not frequently wandered to Europe. The speci- 

 men is in fine condition, and if you think it desirable to have a representation of it, I 

 shall be happy to send you a drawing, as Mr. Des Vceux has kindly consented to lend 

 me the specimen for the purpose. In this instance at least there can be no question 

 as to whether the individual was truly a wild specimen, or had been kept in captivity, 

 as I believe no successful efforts have ever been made to confine the terns. — Edwin 

 Brown ; Bur ton-on- Trent, December 20, 1852. 



Occurrence of the Fork- tailed Petrel (Procellaria Leachii) near Penzance. — A spe- 

 cimen of this bird was picked up dead at Pleming, near this town, a few days since, 

 in an emaciated state. Its occurrence on this coast is rare. — Edward Hearle Rodd ; 

 Penzance, November 27, 1852. 



The Great Sea Serpent. — I have lately received the following account from my 

 brother, Capt. Steele, 9th Lancers, who, on his way out to India in the Barham, saw 

 the sea-serpent. Thinking it might be interesting to you, as corroborating the account 

 of the Daedalus, I have taken the liberty of sending you the extract from my brother's 

 letter. " On the 28th of August, in long. 40° E., lat. 37° 16' S., about half past 2, 

 we had all gone down below to get ready for dinner, when the first mate called us on 

 deck to see a most extraordinary sight. About 500 yards from the ship there was the 

 head and neck of an enormous snake ; we saw about 14 or 20 feet out of the water, 

 and he spouted a long way from his head ; down his back he had a crest like a cock's 

 comb, and was going very slowly through the water, but left a wake of about 50 or 60 

 feet, as if dragging a long body after him. The captain put the ship off her course to 

 run down to him ; but as we approached him he went down. His colour was green, 

 with light spots. He vjos seen by every one on board.'' My brother is no naturalist, 

 and I think this is the first time the monster has been ever seen to spout. — Thos. 

 Steele, Lt. Col. Coldstream Guards ; 21, Upper Brook St., December 13, 1852. 



The Sea Serpent. — I am told by a gentleman whose brother was on board the ship 

 (the Barham) referred to in the following extract from ' The Times' newspaper of No- 

 vember 17, 1852, that the occurrence there related took place between 35 s * and 40° S. 

 lat. and 40° and 45° E. long., being about 650 miles due south of Madagascar. I un- 

 derstand that the particulars of the event as there stated closely agree with those fur- 

 nished to my informant, and further, which is perhaps the most interesting part of the 

 whole circumstance, that the animal was observed to " blow '' or " spout " in the same 

 manner that a whale does. — Alfred Newton. 



" Extract from an Officers Letter written between the Cape and Madras. — You 

 will be surprised to hear that we have actually seen the great sea serpent, about which 

 there has been so much discussion. Information was given by a sailor to the captain 

 just as we were going to dinner. I was in my cabin at the time, and from the noise and 

 excitement I thought the ship was on fire. I rushed on deck, and on looking over 

 the side of the vessel I saw a most wonderful sight, which I shall recollect as long as 

 I live. His head appeared to be about 16 feet above the water, and he kept moving 

 it up and down, sometimes showing his enormous neck, which was surmounted with 



