[ 4i ] 
therein, To contrived, as to keep the thermometer 
ftanding upright in the middle thereof, without touch- 
ing its Tides : thus enclofed in a cafe, filled with 
water from along-fide, and covered with a cap, fo 
as to be perfectly water-tight, I funk it with the 
deep-fea founding-lead ; letting it hang juft clear of 
the ground for the fpaceof half an hour, and then had 
it hauled up as brifkly as poffible, and the cafe being 
inftantly opened, I infpedted the thermometer. I 
found the inconvenience however of making the ex- 
periment in this way, becaule of the length of time 
thereto neceflary ; wherefore I made a very lraall 
hole in each end of the cylinder, whereby to let the 
water in and the air out, and fent it down empty, 
to the end that it might fill as far below the furface 
as poftible, buffering it however always to hang a few 
minutes, that it might furely be full before I caufed 
the boat’s crew to begin hauling it up. The lead, 
with this apparatus fattened to the line a little above 
it, funk 260 fathoms in 3 f minutes, and was hauled 
up in 13 f . 
During my ftay in Lapland, I made all the enquiry 
poflible as to the exiftence of the aquatic animals, 
Called Kraakens, whofe dimenfions (according to 
Pontoppiaan) appear to me to be far beyond the 
fcale of nature ; but I nevdr met with any perfon 
who had either talked with, or heard of, any one 
living, who had feen any fuch monfters ; on the con- 
trary, the moft intelligent faid, they believed fuch 
never exifted otherwife than in imagination. But 
with regard to the Stoor Worms (which I have oftener 
heard called Sea Worms by the Norwegians), thofe 
who totally dilcredited the exiftence of the Kraakens 
Vol. LX. G told 
