MAMMALOGY. 



still to the researches of modern travellers, and the Naturalists of the 

 present day that we are indebted almost entirely for those minute 



are told that " though it is much to be regretted that this interesting subject 

 has not been preserved in a more perfect state, a fact is indisputably esta- 

 blished that an animal exists which has in the upper part a form similar to 

 the human, combining with the lower part the perfect form of a fish." 

 " The most sceptical mind may be convinced of this fact," it is added, " by 

 examining the animal now submitted to inspection. The Philosopher and 

 the Naturalist need no longer remain in doubt, the more minute the inves- 

 tigation, the more satisfactory must be the result. The object is before our 

 eyes, and we are only left to speculate from its various combinations 

 approaching so nearly to the human species on what may be the habits of 

 the Mermaid." And a concluding observation is deduced, which in our 

 mind might have been spared, as it bears the appearance of an irreverent 

 appeal to the boundless power of the great Author of Creation in the pro- 

 duction of such a being, and intimating plainly that this clumsy object of 

 panegyric is an evidence how far the divinity can operate in the works of 

 nature. Vide the " Manual/' and the different testimonies in support of it. 



Those are but a few of the many passages in which the authenticity of 

 the " Mermaid" has been advanced, and, as it will be observed, with such 

 a confident affectation of critical discrimination in point of science as well 

 as anatomical acumen, as may really justify the explicit developement of 

 its character, which it is the design of the present explanation to aflord. 

 Relations so ingenious and of a tendency so specious are well calculated to 

 mislead : nor does the danger rest with the present moment, since it is more 

 likely to become an object of delusion from reputation in a future age, when 

 the article shall be removed beyond the search of inspection and enquiry ; 

 and we may be besides afraid that the credit of our own country might 

 suffer some abatement in a scientific point of view, should such an article 

 appear hereafter upon the European continent, or in America, accompanied 

 by the many assurances it has already received, of being considered as a 

 genuine production of nature among the British savans. 



It is not unworthy of remark in this place, that Professor Lichtenstein 

 of Berlin, from the report of a friend who saw this object while it remained 

 at the Cape of Good Hope, had pronounced it to be surreptitious, although 

 from want of more extensive information he could not venture to decide 

 upon its character ; he consoles himself, however, with the reflexion, that 

 should it ever " dare to shew its face in Britain," its intended place of des- 

 tination, " the imposition would be detected and he names some gentle- 



