CHEATS AND HOAXES. 53 
We have read the various hoaxes which appeared in the Cork 
Constitution of 1850; the Skibdbereen Hagle too is not averse to 
publishing a similar hoax (See Zoologist, 1861, p. 7354): 
“As Samuel Townsend, Esq., J. P., of Whitehall, was sailing 
in Whitehall Harbour, he saw, following his wake, what appeared 
to him (from the many descriptions he had read of the monster) 
to be a sea-serpent about twenty five or thirty feet in length; and 
being in a small boat he endeavoured to keep as respectful a 
distance as possible. There was, however, another boat in the 
harbour at the time, in which was Mr. Samuel Hingston, his 
brother, Mr. John Hingston (of Trinity College, Dublin), and a 
party of ladies. These parties also saw the huge monster; and upon 
raising its neck about six feet above the surface the females became 
greatly alarmed, when Mr. John Hingston, who is a remarkably 
good shot, fired at it, upon which it immediately disappeared. 
Mr. Townsend informed us the serpent presented a beautiful appear- 
ance, having large, brilliant scales of a yellow hue, and is of 
opinion it was struck by the shot fired by Mr. Hingston. It was 
likewise distinctly seen from the windows of Whitehall-House. Mr. 
Robert Atkins told us he saw it the day before of Barlogue.” — 
The following hoax is not inferior to any of the foregoing (Na- 
ture, of 13th. of June 1872): 
“Mr. J. Coppin of Durban, forwards to the MWatal Colonist the 
following account of a “sea-serpent’” seen by him: — “During my 
last passage from London, I saw no less than three sea-serpents, 
but an account of the last will suffice. On 30th. December last , 
on board the Silvery Wave, in lat. about 35’ 0” S., and long. 
33° 30" H., at 6.20 P. M. solar time, an enormous sea-serpent 
passing nearly across our bows compelled the alteration of our 
course. He was at least one thousand yards long, of which about 
one third appeared on the surface of the water at every stroke of 
his enormous fan-shaped tail, with which he propelled himself, 
raising it high above the waves, and arching his back like a land- 
snake or a caterpillar. In shape and proportion he much resembled 
the cobra, being marked by the same knotty and swollen protuber- 
ance at the back of the head on the neck. The latter was the 
thickest part of the serpent. His head was like a bull’s in shape, 
his eyes large and glowing, his ears had circular tips and were 
