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pN© 112, 113; REPORTS AND PAPERS. 263 
ments is made by some fishermen, who saw the animal quite close 
to them, and of whom one more hardy than the rest struck it 
with a boat-hook, upon which it immediately gave them chase; 
and, had they not been very near a small island or rock, on which 
they took refuge, in all probability they would have been destroyed.” 
“The size of the sea-serpents seen in the Norwegian fjords varies 
much; and I do not now remember what the dimensions of the 
largest are said to be. As far as I can tax my memory, none of 
them lately seen are larger than that described by Capt. M’Quhae. 
The one seen by the fishermen above alluded to, was, I think, 
not above 70 feet long. I have written to my colleagues in the 
direction of the Bergen Museum, and as soon as their answer 
arrives I will give you a more full account.” 
“There are I believe, several varieties of the reptile, known as 
the sea-serpent, but almost all the accounts agree as to the exist- 
ence of a mane, and as to the great size of the eye. In several 
of the fossil reptiles somewhat approaching the sea-serpent in size 
and other characteristics, the orbit is very large; and in this 
respect, as well as having short paws or flappers, the descriptions 
of the northern sea-serpents agree with the supposed appearance of 
some of the antidiluvian species. A great part of the disbelief in 
the existence of the sea-serpent has arisen from its bemg supposed 
to be the same animal as the Kraken, or rather from the names 
having been used indiscriminately.”’ 
“In concluding this hurried statement, allow me to add my 
own testimony as to the existence of a large fish or reptile of 
cylindrical form. (1 will not say sea-serpent.) Three years ago, 
while becalmed in a yacht between Bergen and Sogn in Norway, 
I saw (at about a quarter of a mile astern) what appeared to be 
a large fish ruffling the otherwise smooth surface of the fjord, 
and, on looking attentively, I observed what looked like the con- 
volutions of a snake. I immediately got my glass, and distinctly 
made out three convolutions, which drew themselves slowly through 
the water. The greatest diameter was about ten or twelve inches. 
No head was visible; and from the size of each convolution, I 
supposed the length to be about thirty feet. The master of my 
yacht (who, as navigator, seaman, and fisherman, had known the 
Norwegian coast and North Sea for many years), as well as a 
friend who was with me, an experienced Norwegian sportsman 
and porpoise shooter, saw the same appearance at the same time, 
and formed the same opinion as to form and size. I mention my 
