CHEATS AND HOAXES. 59 
sions, and partly from its colour and the roughness of its integ- 
ument.”’ 
“This is not the first time that similar animals are observed.” 
“The first time it was seen in 1847 by the Portuguese ship 
Ville de Lissabonne, captain Juan Aupnonso Zarco y Capepa.” 
“This date coincides with the buffooneries of the Charivarz on 
the Constitutionel, and with the first disease of the potatoes.” 
“In 1864, the second of Zhe Don observed a similar animal 
near the coast of Japan; he tattooed it on his arm.” 
“J end this series of reports by assuring you that the monster 
was seen on wednesday evening, August 10, 1881, by the under- 
signed, at a quarter to ten P. M. in 
latitude 29° 60’ 
longtitude 42°40’ 
reckoning the degrees, according to the log-book on board, from 
the meridian of Greenwich.” 
“C. RENARD.” 
“(Here follow the seven signatures above-mentioned).” 
The Editor of the Monde Jilustré adds: 
“We leave to the author of this letter and of the subjoined sketch 
all the responsibility of an assertion which seems to us, least to 
say, strange, and the details of which we communicate to our 
readers with due reserve.’ 
Let us now pass on to reports of would-be sea-serpents. 
