27 
trates and intelligent gentlemen at Plymouth, we doubt not will 
be readily afforded you. We shall suspend our final report to 
the Society, until your communication shall be received. 
Yours respectfully and 
with esteem, 
John Davis, Commit- 
Jacob Bigelow, V 
Francis C. Gray, J 
Mr. Samuel Davis, Plymouth. 
XYII. 
Plymouth, Oct. 2 , 1817 . 
GENTEEMETf, 
Inclosed is the deposition duly authenticated of Capt, E. Fin¬ 
ney of this town, descriptive of an unusual animal, which was 
seen by him in the outer harbour of Plymouth, in June 1815. 
Capt Finney lives a few miles from town, and is much engaged 
in business, which must apologize for the delay that has follow¬ 
ed, since the receipt of your letter of the first of September. 
His deposition is impartial and unbiassed—and agrees uniform y 
with his first declarations in 1815—besides he has not read, 
whatever he may have heard, of the Cape Ann descriptions ; he 
has been from his youth accustomed to a seafaring life—in the 
fishing employ, and in foreign voyages—has frequently seen 
whales, and almost every species of fish. 
The drawing on the other page (made by me) I have shewn 
to Capt. Finney, who says it illustrates his conceptions on the sub¬ 
ject exactly. All your questions were asked him, and when Ins 
replies are negative, such as gills, breathing holes, &c &c it 
must not be inferred that such things were not displayed—but 
only that he did not see them, &c. Certain house carpenters, who 
were at work on a building near the spot, also saw it; as well as 
many others—these persons dwell with emphasis on the long and 
distinct wake made in the water by the passage of the fish.—As 
