8 
SEA MONSTERS UNMASKED. 
"are supposed by some seafaring people here, to be the 
young of the Sea-Krake ; perhaps they are its smallest 
ovula." After considering other reports concerning the 
Kraken, he arrives at the following definite opinion : 
We learn from all this that the Polype or Starfish have amongst 
their various species some that are much larger than others ; and, 
according to all appearance, amongst the very largest inhabitants 
of the ocean. If the axiom be true that greatness or littleness 
makes no change in the species, then this Krake must be of the 
Polypus kind, notwithstanding its enormous size." 
His diagnosis is correct ; but it is stated with a modesty 
which his detractors would do well to imitate ; and his 
concluding words on this subject place him in a light 
very different from that in which he is popularly regarded : 
"I do not in the least insist on this conjecture being true," he 
writes, " but willingly submit my suppositions in this and every 
other dubious matter to the judgment of those who are better 
experienced. If I was an admirer of uncertain reports and fabu- 
lous stories, I might here add much more concerning this and other 
Norwegian sea-monsters, whose existence I will not take upon me 
to deny, but do not chuse, by a mixture of uncertain relations to 
make such account appear doubtful as I myself believe to be true 
and well attested. I shall therefore quit the subject here, and 
leave it to future writers on this plan to complete what I have 
imperfectly sketched out, by further experience, which is always 
the best instructor.' " 
It is easy to recognise in Pontoppidan's description of 
the Kraken, the form and habits of one of the " Cuttle- 
fishes," so-called. The appearance of its numerous arms, 
wath which it gathers in its food, and which grow thicker 
and thicker as they rise above the surface, is just what 
would take place in the case of one of the pelagic species 
of these moUusks raising its head out of the sea. The 
