464. THE VARIOUS EXPLANATIONS. [The 18th. ] 
been seen swimming with an undulating or serpentine motion close 
to the surface of the water, the head being somewhat elevated 
above the surface, — this latter feature, as we have observed, 
forming a remark of frequent occurrence in sea-serpent tales. I 
found, on making inquiry into the history of these fishes, that 
their serpentine form had struck previous observers, but, as far as 
I could ascertain, their merits as representatives of sea-serpents had 
never before been so persistently advocated.” 
“These views and the dimensions of the specimen at Newcastle, 
I communicated to the Scotsman and Courant newspapers in June, 
1876. The measurements of the ribbon-fish at Newcastle are given 
as 12 feet 3 mches in length, the greatest depth being 117/, inch- 
es, and the greatest thickness only 2°/, inches; the small dimen- 
sions in thickness, and the relatively long length and depth, 
siving to these fishes the popular names of ribbon and tape-fishes. 
The species was the well-known Gymuetrus or Regalecus Banksw 
of naturalists; and by the Museum attendent at Newcastle, I was 
informed that a still larger specimen of the same species was rec- 
ently obtainéd of the Northumberland coast, the length of this 
latter being 13'/, feet, the depth 15 inches, and the thickness 5 
inches. These fishes possess a greatly compressed body. The breast 
fins are very small, and the ventral or belly fins are elongated 
and spine-like. The first rays of the dorsal or back fin are very 
long, whilst the fin itself extends the whole length of the back, 
and obtains an average breadth of about three inches.” 
“Curiously enough, the publication of these views regarding the 
ribbon-fishes drew forth from the head of a well-known firm of 
fish merchants in Edinburgh, a remarkable confirmation of the 
idea that gigantic specimens of these fishes might be occasionally 
developed. The gentleman in question wrote to inform me that 
about thirty years ago he engaged the smack Sovereign, of Hull, 
Baillie commander, to trawl in the Frith of Forth for Lord Nor- 
bury, then residing at Ele Lodge, Fifeshire. Whilst engaged in 
their trawling operations, the crew of the Sovereign captured a 
giant tape-fish, which, when spread out at length on the deck, 
extended beyond the limits of the vessel at stem and stern. ‘The 
smack was a vessel of forty tons burthen; and the length may 
therefore be safely estimated at sixty feet, — this measurement 
being exceeded by the ribbon-fish. The breadth of the fish meas- 
ured from five to nine inches, and the dorsal fin was from six 
to seven inches in depth. Unfortunately, Lord Norbury seemed in- 
