[The 34d.] THE VARIOUS EXPLANATIONS. 389 
Prof. BierLnow’s indignation rose against this explanation; in 
Sintiman’s Am. Journ. Se. Arts. Vol. II, Boston, 1820, we read: 
“In some of the Scientific Journals remarks have been published, 
in which the testimony of these witnesses” (of Gloucester and else- 
where), “is announced to be an “absurd story”, attributable to a 
“defective observation connected with an extravagant degree of fear’ 
(See Thomson’s 4nnals, for January 1819)”. 
“In the American Journal of Science Vol. I, p. 260, is a note 
from the same author, on the identity of Scolophis with Coluber 
constrictor. As this gentleman probably received his knowledge on 
the subject from p. 40th. of the Linnaean Society’s Report, it 
might have been decorous in him to have noticed the source from 
which he got his information.” 
“As the friends of Science can have no object in view more 
important than the attamment of truth, it is proper to submit to 
the public consideration some additional evidence in regard to the 
size and shape of this marine animal which has come to light 
since the publication of Captain Rich’s letter on the subject. This 
evidence is partly the result of observations during the present 
year, and partly the contents of a communication made to the 
American Academy of Arts and Sciences fifteen years ago, but 
which, having been mislaid, has not before been published. The 
reader will judge whether it is a “defective observation” which 
has produced a remarkable coincidence between witnesses in different 
periods and places, unknown to each other; or whether it was 
“an extravagant degree of fear’ which induced the commander of 
an American fregate to man his boats and go with his mariners 
im pursuit of this unknown animal. It may be proper to add that 
the original letters constituting the communication last alluded to, 
are in the hands of the corresponding Secretary of the Academy, 
where they may be seen. It is hoped that the unsuccessful termin- 
ation of Capt. Rich’s cruise will not deter others from improving 
any future opportunities which may occur for solving what may 
now perhaps be considered the most interesting problem in the 
science of Natural History.” 
How to make the animal’s head (which is like that of a snake, 
a seal, a walrus, a sea-lion), its long neck, its four flappers, its 
enormous long pointed tail, agree with the general outlines of a 
tunny, even of nine or ten feet in length!? 
