sit} i 
228 THE VARIOUS ACCOUNTS, [1823. | 
some degree of credit to be given to it; but when these several 
relations as to the general appearance of the animal, its dimensions, 
the state of the weather, when it has been seen, and other partic- 
ulars are so fully confirmed, one by the other, at such consider- 
able intervening distances, every reasonable man will feel satisfied 
of the truth of the main fact. Many of the informants, besides, 
were of superior rank and education; and the opinions of such 
men as the Amtmand (Governor) of Finmark, Mr. Steen of Carlsée, 
Présten (Dean) Deinbolt of Vadsde, and the Bishop of Nordland 
and Iimmark, who was even an eye witness, ought not to be 
disregarded. There does not appear the least probability, or even 
possibility, that any other marine animal at present known on the 
northern coast, could have been confounded with the sea-serpent. 
The finners, a species of whale already mentioned, are too well 
known to occasion any mistake; and the total want of similarity 
in shape, appearance, and size, if they were even rare, would be 
sufficiently obvious.” 
Remarkable is the fact that Mr. pz Capreni Brooke considers 
the animal to be “in all probability of the serpent tribe’, with 
which he of course means szakes. 
“The strongest confirmation of the fact appears to be the ac- 
count received at the island of Otersun. There it will be recollected, 
the serpent made its appearance in July, 1819, being visible a short 
distance from the shore, nearly every day, during the greater part 
of that month, and having been seen during that time by the 
whole of the population of the island. The information collected , 
indeed, is scantier than might have been expected, from its re- 
maining so considerable a time; but the talent of observation in 
fishermen is far from considerable, and their curiosity is easily 
gratified. To these circumstances, and the general dread entertained 
of this animal, may be attributed the want of any attempt to 
take it. At the neighbouring island of Krogéen also, it will be 
remembered, that its having appeared was confirmed; and _ this 
would be sufficient at least to cause a wavering in the minds of 
those naturalists, who have treated former accounts as the mere 
offspring of imagination.” 
We may add: not only their curiosity is easily gratified, but 
their fear to approach the animal too closely withholds them from 
investigating it nearer, or from observing it, as a naturalist or 
more curious person would do! 
Further he discusses the subject historically , first comparing the 
