I. 
Boston, Aug. 19, 1817. 
The Committee appointed by the Linnsean Society, at their 
meeting on the 18 th inst. for the purpose of collecting any ev¬ 
idence which may exist respecting a remarkable animal, denomi¬ 
nated a Sea Serpent, reported to have recently been seen in and near 
the harbour of Cape Ann, have concluded on the following 
method of proceeding in the execution of their commission. 
I. The examination to be confined to persons professing ac¬ 
tually to have seen the animal in question. 
II. Such persons to be examined as may be met with by 
either of the Committee, or by Hon. Lonson Nash of Gloucester, 
who is to be requested by a letter addressed to him from the Com¬ 
mittee to undertake this service. 
III. All testimony on the subject to be taken in writing, and 
after being deliberately read to the person testifying, to be signed 
by him, and sworn to before a magistrate. The examinations to 
be separate, and the matter testified by any witness not to be 
communicated until the whole evidence be taken. 
IV. The persons testifying to be requested first to relate their 
recollections on the subject, which being taken down, the follow¬ 
ing questions to be proposed, if not rendered unnecessary by the 
statement given. 
QUESTIONS. 
1. When did you first see this animal ? 
2 . How often and how long at a time ? 
3 . At what times of the day ? 
4. At what distance ? 
5 . How near the shore ? 
