18 ATTEMPTS TO DISCREDIT THE SEA-SERPENT. 
animal. We entered Boston, and rode immediately to the end of 
Central Wharf to the store of a Mr. Rich, who had fitted out 
the expedition. The first person we saw was Judge Davis, whose 
countenance foreboded evil. His first words were to inform us that 
we had come in to be disappointed, for that the serpent was not — 
taken! (f am not in the habit of using notes of admiration, but 
the present occasion seems to require one). The sailors, however, 
affirmed, as he said, that they had taken some most extraordinary 
fish of very large size, which he was going to see. I had little 
appetite left for seeing extraordinary fishes, but went to accompany 
Mr. Peck. We proceeded a wharf to the South End, and making 
our way through a croud, obtained admission into the dark lower 
room of a store where we found a considerable number of other 
gentlemen waiting. After some delay the fish was dragged in from 
the small vessel in which it had been brought, wrapped in sail. 
As soon as it was uncovered and fairly exposed to view, it was 
pronounced by all who knew any thing on the subject to be 
nothing but a Thunny, or Horse Mackerel, of a common size. — 
We had been gradually prepared for the disappointment, so that 
the shock was not so great as you might suppose. ‘lhe report in 
the morning’s paper had arisen from a mystification performed upon 
the person who brought it to Boston, by the crew of the vessel 
engaged in the expedition. The sailors who dragged in the fish 
were part of this crew; and instead of their being tossed over the 
wharf into the water, by way of punishment for their imposition, 
and to teach them better morals, as they infallibly would have 
been by any mob out of Boston, there was actually a collection 
made to reward them for their trouble in taking the fish and 
bringing it to exhibit. This fact, I think, deserves to be recorded 
for the honor of Boston, and particularly of us gentlemen present. -— 
I have only to add that if you should learn that any one of the 
German literati is writing a volume upon Sea-Serpents, I beg you 
will assure him, that we do not consider the circumstance, con- 
nected with the deception just mentioned, as affecting the evidence 
before obtained for their real existence. — In the Messenger of 
this week which I will send by the next opportunity you will 
find one or two notices of this affair p. 756 and p. 758.” 
I have had no opportunity to consult the above mentioned pas- 
sage from this Messenger. I think most of my readers know a 
tunny (Lhynnus thynnus (Linn.)). For those, however, wo don 't, 
I give here a figure of it. 
