160 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



heavy weather in the China Seas. — I am, Sir, yours faithfully, Oliver 

 Gr. Ready. 



" The Sea-Serpent.— On Sunday, Aug. 18th, 1901, at 11.20 a.m., 

 as the Chinese Customs cruising launch ' Lungtsing ' was steaming at 

 half-speed heading for Boddam Cove, Tungho Island, in lat. N. 22 deg. 

 8 min. 30 sec. and long. E. 113 deg. 48 min. 40 sec, at about ten 

 cables' length from the Chuk Chao Islands, I sighted a dark object on 

 the surface of the water one point on the starboard bow, which looked 

 to me like a rock. I at once gave the order 'full speed astern,' and 

 vessel passed about thirty feet clear of the object, which, to my surprise, 

 was a large serpent, lying in a round coil, with its head raised two or 

 three feet, and slightly moving. Stopped engines and lowered star- 

 board gig. I despatched Mr. Kuster, second officer, in gig with orders 

 to kill the monster, if possible. Mr. Kuster stood in bow of gig with a 

 boathook ready to strike. The serpent had now lowered its head again, 

 but on approach of the gig suddenly struck out, hitting blade of one of 

 the oars, turning the sailor turtle-back. It then raised its head to a 

 level of launch's davit, about 15 ft., at a distance of not more than 

 10 ft. from the gig and 30 ft. from the launch where I stood. The crew 

 of gig were scared, and prepared to jump overboard. Mr. Kuster, still 

 standing in bow of the gig, prepared to strike with the boathook ; but, 

 before he could do so, the monster suddenly dived and made off. Its 

 action in swimming was like that of an ordinary water- snake ; the 

 water being clear, the reptile could be plainly seen a few feet down. It 

 dived very quickly, and made considerable disturbance of the water. 



" We judged the serpent to be from 40 to 50 ft. long, and about a 

 foot in diameter. It had a kind of crest on its head, and two fins high 

 up on the neck, just behind the jaws. The thickest part of its body 

 appeared to be about 15 ft. from the head, tapering both ways. Its 

 head was as big as a Rugby football, with large eyes, and mouth opened 

 wide when striking. It was of a very dark colour on the back — striped 

 and mottled, but lighter on the belly. 



" As soon as the serpent disappeared, and we on the launch had 

 recovered from our first surprise, I ordered the ten-barrelled Nordenfelt 

 to be loaded, and launch moved round slowly for fifteen or twenty 

 minutes, in hopes that the reptile would reappear ; but, not doing so, 

 vessel proceeded on her way to Boddam Cove. (Signed) F. Wolfe, 

 Officer in charge C.L. ' Lungtsing,' Aug. 21st, 1901. Witnesses : 

 (Signed) V. Kustee, Second Officer, and seventeen Chinese." 



