90 WOULD-BE SEA-SERPENTS. 
1849. — In the Zoologist of 1849, p. 2335, we read: 
“A young sea-serpent. — On Friday, while some fishermen belong- 
ing to Usan were at the out-sea fishing, they drew up what ap- 
peared to them a young sea-serpent, and lost no time in bringing 
the young monster to the secretary of our Museum. The animal, — 
whatever it may be called, is still alive, and we have just been 
favoured with a sight of it; but whether it really be a young sea- 
serpent or not, we shall leave those who are better acquainted 
with Zoology than we are to determine. Be it what it may, it is 
a living creature, more than 20 feet in length, less than an inch 
in circumference, and of a dark brown chocolate colour. When at 
rest its body is round; but when it is handled it contracts upon 
itself, and assumes a flattish form. When not disturbed its motions 
are slow; but when taken out of the water and extended, it con- 
tracts like what a iong cord of caoutchouc would do, and folds 
itself up im spiral form, and soon begins to secrete a whitish 
mucous from the skin, which cements the folds together, as for 
the purpose of binding the creature into the least possible dimen- 
sions.’ — “Montrose Standard.” — 
“(This creature was probably a specimen of Gordius marinus. I 
am obliged for the extract. — E. Newman. |” 
Mr. Newman suggesting this worm to be a Gordius marinus 
evidently did not mean the Gordius marinus of Linn, but that of 
Montacu. The former is a little worm of about one half of an ~ 
inch in length, livmg parasitically in the entrails of some fishes, 
especially in herrings, whilst the latter is identical to Limeus 
longissimus of SoweErsy, .belonging to the family of Leneidae, to 
the order of MNemertini, to the class of Platyelminthes or Flat- 
Worms. Of this species individuals of thirty to forty-five feet in 
length have occasionally been dredged. 
Having the means of consulting the splendid work of the British 
Nemerteans of Mr. Mc. Intosu, I am able to show my readers in 
fig 12 this Lineus longissimus, on a reduced scale. 
1849, March 26.— Another would be sea-serpent; (Zoologist p. 
2433 for 1849): 
“A strange marine animal, of great size and. strength, was capt- 
ured on the 26th. of March off Cullercoats, near Newcastle. By 
the enclosed handbill, which has been forwarded to me, it appears 
