444 0N THE ORKNEY ANIMAi. 



not raise its head wholly above water, so that the 

 neck being under water, I could perceive no shi- 

 ning filaments thereon, if it had any. Its pro- 

 gressive motion under water I took to be rapid, 

 from the shortness of the time it took to come up 

 to the boat. When the head was above water, its 

 motion was not near so quick ; and when the head 

 was most elevated, it appeared evidently to take a 

 view of distant objects. 



About the time I saw it, it was seen about the 

 island of Canna. The crews of thirteen fishing- 

 boats, I am told, were so much terrified at its ap- 

 pearance, that they in a body fled from it to the 

 nearest creek for safety. On the passage from 

 Rum to Canna, the crew of one boat saw it co- 

 ining towards them, with the wind, and its head 

 high above water. One of the crew pronounced 

 its head as large as a little boat, and each of its 

 eyes as large as a plate. The men were much 

 terrified, but the monster offered them no mole- 

 station. — From those who saw it, I could get no 

 interesting particulars additional to those above 

 mentioned. 



I remain, Sir, &c. 



Donald Maclean. 



