NOTES AND QUERIES. 113 



fortunate it was dead when found, or the unexpected catch might have 

 had an unpleasant consequence for the finder. It was probably 

 stranded by the morning tide, and died during the day before dis- 

 covery. It weighed 56 lb., being about 44 in. in length, and 28 in. in 

 widtb, although measurement was somewhat difficult owing to the 

 shrinkage of the surface of the large round disc, of which the fish 

 principally consists. The fish was paraded round the town. — John 

 Cummings (14, Cross Street, Barnstaple). 



The Animal or Animals generally referred to as the " Sea- 

 Serpent. " — I forward a cutting from ' The Age ' newspaper, relating 

 to the " Sea-Serpent. "* As this creature is of world-wide interest, I 

 thought perchance that you would like the subject-matter for ' The 

 Zoologist.' I had intended forwarding you the " note" direct, but, as 

 the captain asked for an early identification, the matter had to be dealt 

 with locally, and necessitated my sitting down and writing the letter 

 offhand ; nevertheless it is correct, since I have made this matter a 

 study for some time past. — Arthur H. E. Mattingley (Hon. Secretary, 

 Australasian Ornithologists' Union), &c. 



" A ' Sea-Serpent ' has been reported in ' The Age' of to-day to 

 have been killed, and that enlightenment on the subject was desired. 

 Only quite recently American and French scientists agreed that its 

 existence is no mere myth ; ^therefore it will be interesting to mention 

 what has been recorded about this animal and its existence in Queens- 

 land (Australia) waters, since its description to a great extent agrees 

 with the American and French official recognition of the Megojjhias 

 megophiasy the classical name bestowed on this presumed species by 

 scientists in the United States Government service. Prof. E. G. Raco- 

 vitza has collected proofs of the 'Sea-Serpent's' existence, and its 

 abundance in the Bay of Along, Tonkin. The foreign official recog- 

 nition, however, is somewhat belated, since Saville Kent, who visited 

 Australia some years ago, published a description which was given to 

 him by Miss Lovell, a school-teacher, of Sandy Island, Queensland. 

 He then named the reptile Chelosauria lovelli, and to an Australian 

 belongs the credit of discovering the monster. The latest account of 

 the ' Sea- Serpent ' was given a few months back by the officers and 

 crew of the French warship ' Decidee,' on the Indo-Chinese station. 



:;: This referred to the creature struck by the ' Armadale Castle ' on her 

 voyage to South Africa. 

 Zool. 4th ser. vol. IX., March, 1905. k 



