BING FES. | REPORTS AND PAPERS. ae 
philosophers resemble, in these particulars, the description of the 
eye-witnesses of the living animal, as given in the letter and draw- 
ings of Captain M’Quhae. In the latter we have many of the 
external characters of the former, as predicated from the examination 
of the skeleton. The short head, the serpent-like neck, carried 
several feet above the water, forcibly recall the idea conceived of 
the extinct animal; and even the bristly mane in certain parts of 
the back, so unlike anything found in serpents, has its analogy 
in the /gwana, to which animal the Plescosaurus has been compared 
by some geologists. But I would most of all insist upon the pecul- 
larity of the animal’s progression, which could only have been 
effected with the evenness, and at the rate described, by an ap- 
paratus of fins or paddles, not possessed by serpents, but existing 
in the highest perfection in the Plesiosaurus.” — EF. G. S.— 
In the number of the ///ustrated London News of November 4, 
1848, the letter of Captain M’Quuaz was published in which he 
expresses his special approbation of the figures: 
“IT have observed with very great satisfaction the Engravings of 
the “Sea-Serpent’” in the Illustrated London News of the 28th. 
inst.; they most faithfully represent the apearance of the animal, 
as seen from Her Majesty’s ship Daedalus on the 6th. of August 
last; and it is evident that much care has been bestowed upon 
the subject by the artist employed, to whom I beg to acknowledge 
myself greatly indebted for the patience and attention with which 
he listened to the various alterations suggested by me during the 
progress of the drawings.” 
In the Times of Nov. 4th., we find the following remark: 
“As some interest has been excited by the alleged appearance 
of a sea-serpent, I venture to transmit a few remarks on the sub- 
ject, which you may or not may think worthy of insertion in your 
columns. There does not appear to be a single well authenticated 
instance of these monsters having been seen in any southern lati- 
tudes; but in the north of Europe, notwithstanding the fabulous 
character so long ascribed to Pontoppidan’s description, I am con- 
vinced that they both exist and are frequently seen. During three 
summers spent in Norway I have repeatedly conversed with the 
natives on this subject.” 
Here follow the descriptions of two appearances which I have 
_ Inserted above, (n°. 109, 110). 
“hey expressed great surprise at the general disbelief attaching 
to the existence of these animals amongst naturalists, and assured 
