26 
though I supposed this appearance was produced by his motion. 
When he disappeared, he apparently sunk directly down like a 
rock. 
Capt. Beach has been in Boston for a week past, and I am 
informed that he is still there. An engraving from his drawing 
of the serpent has been, or is now, making in Boston ; but I have 
npt been able to ascertain how far his drawing is thought a cor¬ 
rect representation. 
Respectfully, Sir, 
your most ob’t, 
„ LONSON NASH. 
ilon. John Davis. 
XYJ. 
Boston, September 1 , 1817 . 
SIR, 
At a meeting of the Linnxan Society, on the 1 8th ultimo, the 
subscribers were appointed a Committee for the purpose of collect¬ 
ing any evidence which may exist respecting a remarkable ani¬ 
mal, denominated a Sea Serpent, reported to have been recently seen 
m and near the harbour of Gloucester. The Committee have 
procured evidence from Gloucester, which they are prepared to 
report to the Society, and this evidence is of such a character, that 
they have thought it expedient to extend their inquiry to other re¬ 
ported appearances of a similar nature on our coasts. An ap¬ 
pearance of this sort is mentioned as having been noticed by some 
persons at Plymouth two or three years since. We would ask 
your assistance in' procuring the evidence on this subject. 
Your connexion with the Society seems to authorize the re¬ 
quest for your assistance in having the evidence on this subject, 
which may exist at Plymouth, properly taken and transmitted ; 
but separately from any such claim, we know your habitual read¬ 
iness to aid in any investigation in natural science. This subject 
is now of general interest among us, and will probably be sp a- 
broad. Any co-operation which you may wish from magis- 
