Benjamin Tunghan
REPORT
OF A
15
COMMITTEE
OF THE
LINNÆAN SOCIETY OF NEW ENGLAND,
RELATIVE
TO A LARGE MARINE ANIMALS
SUPPOSED TO BE
A SERPENT,
SEEN NEAR CAPE ANN, MASSACHUSETTS,
IN
AUGUST 1817.
BOSTON:
PUBLISHED BY CUMMINGS AND HILLIARD,
No. 1, Cornhill.
UNIV. PRESS....HILLIARD AND METCALE:
181..


In the month of August 1817, it was eurrently report-
ed on various authorities, that an animal of very singular
appearance had been recently and repeatedly seen in the
harbour of Gloucester, Cape Ann, about thirty miles
distant from Boston. It was said to resemble a serpent in
its general form and motions, to be of immense size, and
to move with wonderful rapidity ; to appear on the surface
of the water only in calm and bright weather; and to seem
jointed or like a number of buoys or casks following each
other in a line.
In consequence of these reports, at a meeting of the
Linnean Society of New England, holden at Boston on the
18th day of August, the Hon. John DAVIS, JACOB BIGE-
Low, M. D. and FRANCIS C. GRAY, Esq. were appointed a
Committee to collect evidence with regard to the existence
and appearance of any such animal. The following re-
port made by that Committee is now published by order of
the Society.
X


Linnæan Society of New Englands
THE Committee appointed on the 18th of August last
to collect evidence with regard to the existence and appear-
ance of a Sea Serpent, said to have been recently seen in
the harbour of Gloucester, now lay before the Society the
following facts and documents.
On the 19th of August your Committee wrote to the
Hon. LONSON Nash of Gloucester, requesting him to ex-
amine
upon
oath some of the inhabitants of that town with
regard to the appearance of this animal, to make the exam-
ination as early as possible, to request the persons examin-
ed not to communicate to each other the substance of their
respective statements, until they were all committed to
writing; to have these statements signed and certified in
due form, and sent to us. Our letter also contained certain
rules with regard to the mode of conducting this examina-
tion, and questions to be put to the persons examined.
In answer to it we received from Mr. Nash a letter,
dated 28th August, enclosing eight depositions, duly certi-
fied, which on the 1st September were read before the So-.
ciety, as were also three depositions taken in Boston, on the
30th August and 1st September. You directed us to re-
turn your thanks to Mr. Nash for his readiness in comply-
ing with our request, to continue the investigation of the
subject committed to us, in such manner as we should deem
expedient, and to lay before you a formal report of the
whole evidence that should be procured. In compliance
with your directions, the chairman of the Committee wrote
again to Mr. Nash on the 2d September, and received from
him an answer dated 9th September. We also wrote to
Mr. Samuel Davis of Plymouth on the 1st September, re-
questing him to examine upon oath some respectable man
of that place, with regard to the appearance of an animal
said to have been seen there in the year 1815, and to resem-
ble the one lately seen near Gloucester; this letter contained
the same rules and questions as were sent to Mr. Nash. In
answer to this application, a letter from that gentleman was
received on the 4th October, enclosing the deposition of

6
Capt E. Finney. "Your Committee have also received a
communication from the Rev. William Jenks of Bath rel-
ative to this subject. All these documents are now laid be-
fore you in the following order.
1. The rules and questions of your Committee.
2. The letter from Mr. Nash of 28th August, enclose
ing the eight following depositions.
3. The deposition of Amos Story.
4. That of Solomon Allen.
5. That of Eppes Ellery.
6. That of William H. Foster.
7. That of Matthew Goffney.
8. That of James Mansfield.
9. That of John Johnston.
10. That of William B. Pearson.
11. The deposition of Sewall Toppan, 7 taken at Bos-
12. That of Robert Bragg,
ton.
13. That of William Somerby,
14. The letter from our Chairman to Mr. Nash.
15. The answer of Mr. Nash.
16. Our letter to Mr. S. Davis of Plymouth.
17. His answer, containing
18. The deposition of Elkanah Finney.
19. The letter from the Rev. William Jenks to your
Committee.
20. Is an account of a serpent said to have been fre-
quently seen in the North Sea, extracted from the history
of Norway, written by the Right Rev. Erich Pontoppidan,
bishop of Bergen, in the year 1751.

1.
Boston, Aug. 19, 1817.
The Committee appointed by the Linnæan Society, at their
meeting on the 18th 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.
I. 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 ?

6. What was its general appearance?
57. Was it in motion or at rest?
8. How fast did it move, and in what direction?
9.
What
parts of it were above the water and how high?
10. Did it appear jointed or only serpentine?
11. If serpentine, were its sinuosities vertical or horizontal ?
12. How many distinct portions were out of water at one
time?
13 What were its colour, length and thickness?
14. Did it appear smooth or rough?
15. What were the size and shape of its head, and had the
head ears, horns, or other appendages?
16. Describe its eyes and mouth.
17. Had it gills or breathing holes, and where?
18. Had it fins or legs, and where?
19 Had it a mane or hairs, and where?
20. How did its tail terminate ?
21. Did it utter any sound?
22. Did it appear to pursue, avoid or notice any thing?
23. Did you see more than one ?
24. How many persons saw it?
any
other remarkable fact.
3. State

6
II.
Gloucester, August 28, 1817,
JOHN Davis,
JACOB BIGELOW, and Esq'rs.
FRANCIS C. GRAY,
Gentlemen,
I have received your favour of the 19th inst. In that com-
munication you request my assistance, in collecting evidence rel-
ative to a strange marine animal, that has appeared in the har-
bour in this place; and I have most cheerfully complied with
your request. I send you, herewith, the testimony that I have
taken. The subject is calculated to excite much interest, at
home and abroad.
The deponents were interrogated separately, no one knowing
what the others had testified, and though they differ in some few
particulars, still, for the most part, they agree.
I am confident, from my own observation, that Mr. Allen is
mistaken, as to the motion of the animal. His motion is verti-
cal. I saw him, on the 14th instant, for nearly half an hour.
I should judge he was two hundred and fifty yards from me,
when the nearest. I saw him twice with a glass for a short time,
and at other times, with the naked eye. At that distance, I
could not take in the two extremes of the animal that were visi-
ble, at one view, with a glass. His manner of turning is well de-
scribed in Messrs. Pearson's 'and Goffney's depositions. The
persons who have deposed before me, are men of fair and unblem-
ished characters. The interrogatories that you sent to me were
all put to the witnesses; but generally, I have omitted inserting
them in the depositions, when the witnesses declared their inabil.
ity to answer them.
I think Mr. Allen is likewise mistaken, as to the distinct pora
tions of the animal that were visible, at one time. I saw, at no time,
more than eight distinct portions; though more may have been
visible ; still, I cannot believe that fifty distinct portions were
seen, at one time. I believe the animal to be straight, and that
the apparent bunches were caused by his vertical motion.

10
I have questioned Daniel Goffney, who was in the boat with
his brother Matthew, when he fired at the animal, and Daniel's
answers corroborate Matthew's testimony.
Respectfully, gentlemen,
Your most ob't,
LONSON NASH.
III.
I, AMOs Story of Gloucester, in the County of Essex, mariner,
depose and say, that on the tenth day of August A. D. 1817, I
saw a strange marine animal, that I believe to be a serpent, at the
southward and eastward of Ten Pound Island, in the harbour in
said Gloucester. It was between the hours of twelve and one o'
clock when I first saw him, and he continued in sight for an hour
and half. I was setting on the shore, and was about twenty rods
from him when he was the nearest to me, His head appeared
shaped much like the head of the sea turtle, and he carried his
head from ten to twelve inches above the surface of the water,
His head at that distance appeared larger than the head of any
dog that I ever saw. From the back part of his head to the next
part of him that was visible, I should judge to be three or four
feet. He moved very rapidly through the water, I should say a
mile in two, or at most, in three minutes. Sīs
saw no bunches on
his back. TOn this day, I did not see more than ten or twelve
feet of his body. I likewise saw, what I believe to be the same
animal this day, viz. the twenty third of August, A. D. 1817.
This was in the morning, about seven o'clock. He then lay
perfectly still, extended on the water, and I should judge that I
saw fifty feet of him at least.
I should judge that I was forty rods from him this day. I
had a good spy-glass both days when I saw him. I continued
looking at him about half an hour, and he remained still and in
the same position, until I was called away. Neither his head
Hor tail were visible. His colour appeared to be a dark brown,

11
and when the sun shone upon him, the reflection was very bright,
I thought his body was about the size of a man's body.
AMOS STORY.
Essex ss. Aug. 23, 1817. Personally appeared Amos Story,
and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
is true, according to his best knowledge and belief.
Cor. Lonson NASH, Jus. Pacis.
IV.
I, SOLOMON ALLEN 3d, of Gloucester, in the county of Es-
sex, Ship master, depose and say ; that I have seen a strange
marine aninial, that I believe to be a serpent, in the harbour in
said Gloucester. T should judge him to be between eighty and
ninety feet in length, and about the size of a half barrel, appar-
ently having joints from his head to his tail. I was about one
hundred and fifty yards from him, when I judged him to be of
the size of a half barrel. His head formed something like the
head of the rattle snake, but nearly as large as the head of a
horse. wi
When he moved on the surface of the water, his motion
was slow, at times playing about in circles, and sometimes move
ing nearly straight forward. When he disappeared, he sunk ap-
parently directly down, and would next appear at two hundred
yards from where he disappeared, in two minutes. His colour
was a dark brown, and I did not discover any spots upon him.
Question. When did you first see this animal ?
Answer. I saw him on the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth
of August, A. D. 1817.
Q. How ofter, and how long at a time?
A. I was in a boat on the twelfth inst. and was around him
several times, within one hundred and fifty yards of him. On
the thirteenth inst. I saw him nearly all the day, from the shore.
I was on the beech, nearly on a level with him, and most of the
time he was from one hundred and fifty to three hundred yards

12
from me.
On the fourteenth, I saw him but once, and had not
so good a view of him.
Q. What parts of it were above the surface of the water, and
how high?
A. Its joints or bunches, appeared about eight or ten inches
above the surface of the water.
Q. Did it bend its body up and down in moving, or to the
right and left?
A. He moved to the right and left.
Q. How many distinct portions of it were out of water, at
one time?
A. I should say fifty distinct portions.
Q. Did it appear smooth or rough?
A. It appeared rough and scaly.
Q. Had it ears, horns, or any other appendages?
A. I perceived none.
Q. How did its tail terminate ?
A. He seemed to taper towards (what I thought) his tail,
though I had no distinct view of his tail.
Q. Did it ulter any sound.
A. Not in my hearing.
D. Did it appear to pursue, avoid, or notice any thing?
A. It appeared to me to avoid the boat where I was, thougla
afterwards, I saw him make towards a boat, in which was Mr.
Goffney and others.
Q. Did you see more than one ?
A. I did not.
Q. How many persons saw it?
A. Twenty or thirty persons were in view of me.
l. Did he open his mouth when you saw him, and if so,
how wide ?
A. Yes, when I looked at him from the shore with a glass,
at about two hundred yards distance, his mouth appeared to be
open about ten inches.
I had no glass, when I saw him from
the boat.

13
Q. Did he carry his head above the surface of the water?
A. Yes, at times, about two feet, then again he would carry
the top of his head just on the surface of the water.
Q. Did he turn short and quick, and what was the form of
the curve that he made, when he turned ?
A. He turned short and quick, and the first part of the curve
that he made in turning resembled the link of a c ain; but when
his head came parallel with his tail, his head and tail appeared
near together.
SOLOMON ALLEN, 3d.
Essex ss. August 21, 1817. Personally appeared Solomon
Allen the third, and made oath that the foregoing facts, by him
subscribed, are true, according to his best knowledge and belief.
Cor. LONSON NASH, Jus. Pacis.
V.
I, Epes ELLERY, of Gloucester, in the County of Essex, Ship
master, depose and say; that on the 14th day of August, 1817, I
saw a sea animal that I thought to be a serpent, in the harbour
in said Gloucester. I was on an eminence, near low water mark,
and about thirty feet above the level of the sea, when I saw him.
I should judge that he was about one hundred and fifty fathoms
from me.
I saw the upper part of his head, and I should say
about forty feet of the animal. He appeared to me to have
joints, about the size of a two-gallon keg. I was looking at him
with a spy-glass, when I saw him open his mouth, and his mouth
appeared like that of the serpent ; the top of his head appeared
flat. His motion when he turned was quick, but I will not ex-
press an opinion of his velocity. The first part of the curve that
he made in turning was of the form of a staple, and as he ap-
proached towards his tail, he came near his body with his head,
and then ran parallel with his tail, and his head and tail then ap-
peared near together.
Q. At what time of the day did you see him ?
A. It was a little after sun set.
3

14
Q. What parts of it were above the surface of the water, and
how high?
A. I did not count the number of bunches, but they appear-
ed about six inches above the surface of the water.
Q. Were its sinuosities vertical or horizontal ?
A. Vertical
Q. Did it appear to pursue, avoid, or notice any thing?
A. It did not appear to avoid any thing. He appeared to
be amusing himself, though there were several boats not far from
him.
Q. Did you see more than one?
A. I did not.
Q. How many persons saw it?
A. There were fifteen or twenty persons, near where I was.
EPES ELLERY.
Essex ss. August 25, 1817. Personally appeared Epes Elle-
ry, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing facts by him sub-
scribed.
Cor. LONSON NASH, Jus. Pacis.
VI.
ter.
I, WILLIAM H. Foster, of Gloucester, in the county of Es-
sex, merchant, depose and say: That on the fourteenth day of
August, A. D. 1817, I first saw an uncommon sea animal, that
I believe to have been a serpent, in the harbour in said Glouces-
When I first discovered him, his head was above the sur-
face of the water, perhaps ten inches, and he made but little
progress through the water. He was apparently shaded with
light colours. He afterwards went in different directions, leav-
ing on the surface of the water, marks like those made by skat-
ing on the ice. Then he would move in a straight line west, and
would almost in an instant, change his course to east, bringing
his head, as near as I could judge, to where his tail was; or in
fact, to the extreme hinder part visible, raising himself as he turn-
ed, six or eight inches out of water, and shewing a body at least
forty feet in length. On the seventeenth of August instant, I

15
again saw him. He came into the harbour, occasionally exhib-
iting parts of his body, which appeared like rings or bunches.
As he drew near, and when opposite to me, there rose from his
head or the most forward part of him, a prong or spear about
twelve inches in height, and six inches in circumference at the
bottom, and running to a small point.
Q. Might not the
prong or
spear that you saw, have been the
tongue
of the serpent ?
A. I thought not; as I saw the prong before I saw the head;
but it might have been,
Q. At what distance was you, when you saw the spear of the
serpent ?
A. I should judge forty rods; I had a spy-glass when I saw
the
prong or spear.
D. Did the animal appear round?
A. He did.
Q. Did he appear jointed, or only serpentine ?
A. He appeared jointed.
Q. Were its sinuosities vertical, or horizontal?
A. Vertical.
Q. What was its colour?
A. It appeared brown.
Q. Did it appear smooth or rough?
A. It appeared smooth.
Q. What was the size and shape of his head?
A. At the distance where I was, his head appeared as large
as a man's head; but I cannot describe its shape.
Q. Did it appear to pursue, avoid, or notice objects:
A. I thought it appeared to notice objects.
Q. How fast did it move ?
A. At the rate of a mile in a minute, at times, I have no
doubt.
WILLIAM H. FOSTER.
Essex ss. August 27, 1817. Personally appeared William H.
Foster, and made oath that the foregoing deposition, by him sub-
scribed, is true, according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before London Nash, Jus. of Peace.

16
VI.
saw.
19
|
I, MATTHEW GAFFNEY, of Gloucester, in the County of Essex,
Ship carpenter, depose and say: That on the fourteenth day of
August, A D. 1817, between the hours of four and five o'clock
in the afternoon, I saw a strange marine animal, resembling a
serpent, in the harbour in said Gloucester. I was in a boat, and
was within thirty feet of him. His head appeared full as large
as a four-gallon keg; his body as large as a barrel, and his length
that I saw, I should judge forty feet, at least. The top of his
head was of a dark colour, and the under part of his head ap-
peared nearly white, as did also several feet of his belly, that I
I supposed and do believe that the whole of his belly was
nearly white.
I fired at him, when he was the nearest to me.
I had a good gun, and took good aim. I aimed at his head, and
think I must have hit him. He turned towards us immediately
after I had fired, and I thought he was coming at us; but he
sunk down and went directly under our boat, and made his ap-
pearance at about one hundred yards from where he sunk. He
did not turn down like a fish, but appeared to settle directly
down, like a rock. My gun carries a ball of eighteen to the
pound; and I
suppose there is no person in town, more accus-
tomed to shooting, than I am. I have seen the same animal at
several other times, but never had so good a view of him, as on
this day. His motion was vertical, like the caterpillar.
Q. How fast did it move ?
A. I should say he moved at the rate of a mile in two, or at
most, three minutes.
Q. Did it appear smooth or rough?
A. I thought it smooth, though I was endeavouring to take
aim at him, and will not say positively, that he was smooth,
though that is still my belief. .
Q. Does he turn quick and short, and if so, what is the form
of path that he makes, in turning ?
A. He turns quick and short, and the first part of the curve
that he makes in turning, is in the form of the staple; but his
head seems to approach rapidly towards his body, his head and

17
tail moving in opposite directions, and when his head and tail
come parallel, they appear almost to touch each other.
Q. Did he appear more shy, after you had fired at him?
A. He did not; but continued playing as before.
Q. Who was in the boat with
you
fired at the ser
you, when
pent?
A. My brother Daniel, and Augustin M. Webber.
MATTHEW GAFFNEY.
Essex ss. August 28, 1817. Then Matthew Gaffney made
oath that the foregoing, by him subscribed, is true according to
his best knowledge and belief.
Before LONSON NASH, Jus, of Peace.
VIII.
His colour ap-
I, JAMES MANSFIELD, of Gloucester, in the county of Essex,
merchant, depose and say: That I saw a strange creature, of
enormous length, resembling a serpent.
I think this was on the
fifteenth of August, A. D. 1817. I should say he was from for-
ty to sixty feet in length, extended on the surface of the water,
with his head above the water about a foot. He remained in
this position but a short time, and then started off very quick,
with much greater velocity than I have seen him move with at
any other time. I saw bunches on his back about a foot in
height, when he lay extended on the water.
peared to me black, or very dark. It was a little before six o'
clock P. M. when I saw him. I should say, he moved a mile
in five or six minutes.
Q. How near the shore was the serpent ?
A. About one hundred and eighty yards from the shore
where I stood.
Q. Were its sinuosities vertical, or horizontal ?
A. Vertical.
Q. What were the size and shape of its head ; and had it
ears, horns, or any other appendages ?

18
A. His head appeared to be about the size of the crown of a
hat, at the distance from whence I saw him. The shape of his
head I cannot describe, and I saw no ears, horns, or other ap-
pendages. I had no spy-glass, and cannot describe him so ini-
nutely as I otherwise could. I have seen him at other times,
but my view of him was not so good, as on this day,
JAMES MANSFIELD.
Essex ss. August 27, 1817. Then James Mansfield made
oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed.
Before London Nash, Jus. Pacis,
IX.
I, John JOHNSTON, jun. of Gloucester, in the County of Es-
sex, of the age of seventeen years, depose and say: That on the
evening of the seventeenth day of August, A. D. 1817, between
the hours of eight and nine o'clock, while passing from the shore
in a boat, to a vessel lying in the harbour in said Gloucester, I
saw a strange marine animal, that I believe to be a serpent, ly-
ing extended on the surface of the water. His length appeared
to be fifty feet at least, and he appeared straight, exhibiting no
protuberances. Capt. John Corliss and George Marble were in
the boat with me. We were within two oars length of him,
when we first discovered him, and were rowing directly for him.
We immediately rowed from him, and at first concluded to pass
by his tail ; but fearing we might strike it with the boat, con-
cluded to pass around his head, which we did, by altering our
He remained in the same position, till we lost sight of
him. We approached so near to him that I believe I could
have reached him with my oar, There was not sufficient light to
enable me to describe the animal.
JOHN JOHNSTON, jun.
Essex ss. August 25, 1817. Personally appeared John John-
ston, jr, and made oath that the foregoing deposition, by him sub-
scribed, is true according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before LONSON NASH, Jus. of Peace.
course.

X.
est
I, William B. Pearson of Gloucester, in the County of Es-
sex, merchant, depose and say: That I have, several times, seen a
strange marine animal, that I believe to be a serpent, of great
size. I have had a good view of him, only once, and this was on
the 18th of August, A. D. 1817. I was in a sail boat, and
when off Webber's cove (so called) in the harbour of said Glou-
cester, I saw something coming out of the cove; we hove to,
not doubting but that it was the same creature that had been
seen several times in the harbour, and had excited much inter-
among
the inhabitants of Gloucester. James P. Collins was
the only person with me. The serpent passed out under the
stern of our boat, towards Ten Pound Island ; then he stood in to.
wards us again, and crossed our bow. We immediately ex-
claimed, here is the snake!' From what I saw of him, I should
say that he was nothing short of seventy feet in length. I dis-
tinctly saw bunches on his back, and once he raised his head out
of water. The top of his head appeared flat, and was raised sev.
en or eight inches above the surface of the water. He passed by
the bow of the boat, at about thirty yards distance. His colour
was a dark brown. I saw him at this time about two minutes.
His motion was vertical. His velocity at this time was not
great; though at times, I have seen him move with
great
veloce
ity, I should say at the rate of a mile in three minutes, and per-
haps faster. His size I judged to be about the size of a half
barrel. I saw Mr. Gaffney fire at him, at about the distance of
thirty yards. I thought he hit him, and afterwards he appeared
more shy. He turned very short, and appeared as limber and
active as the eel, when compared to his size. The form of the
curve when he turned in the water, resembled a staple; his head
seemed to approach towards his body for some feet; then his
head and tail appeared moving rapidly, in opposite directions,
and when his head and tail were on parallel lines, they appeared
not more than two or three yards apart.
Q. At what time of the day was this?
A. Between the hours of five and six, in the afternoon.
16

20
l. Can
Q. How many distinct portions of it were out of water at one
time?
A. Ten or twelve distinct portions.
you describe his eyes and mouth?
A. I thought and believe, that I saw his eye at one time, and
it was dark and sharp.
Q. How did its tail terminate ?
A. I had not a distinct view of his tail ; I saw no bunches
towards, what I thought, the end of his tail, and I believe there
were none. From where I judged his navel might be, to the end
of his tail, there were no bunches visible.
WILLIAM B. PEARSON.
Esses ss. August 27, 1817. Then William B. Pearson made
oath to the truth of the above.
Before Lonson NASH, Jus. of Peace.
XI.
men
Sewell TOPPAN, master of the schooner Laura, declares :
That on Thursday morning the 28th day of August, at about
9 o'clock A. M. at about two miles, or two and half miles east
of the eastern point of Cape Ann, being becalmed, I heard one
of
my
call to the man at helm, “what is this coming tow-
ards us ;” being engaged forward, I took no further notice till
they called out again—I then got on top of the deck load, at
which time I saw a singular kind of animal or fish, which I had
never before seen, passing by our quarter, at distance of about
forty feet, standing along shore. I saw a part of the animal or
fish ten or fifteen feet from the head downwards including the head;
the head appeared to be size of ten-gallon keg, and six inch-
es above the surface of the water. It was of a dark colour.
no tongue, but heard William Somerby and Robert Bragg, my
two men,
who were
me, call out, “ look at his tongue." The
motion of his head was sideways and quite moderate ; the motion
of the body, up and down, I have seen whales very often ; his
with
saw

21
1
3
motion was much more rapid than whales, or any other fish I
have ever seen he left a very long wake behind him; he did
not appear to alter his course in consequence of being so near
the vessel. I saw him much less time than either of the others,
and not in so favourable a position to notice his head.
I have been to sea many years, and never saw any fish that
had the least resemblance to this animal. Judging from what I
saw out of water, I should judge the body was about the size of a
half barrel in circumference.
SEWELL TOPPAN.
Suffolk ss. Boston, September 1, 1817, Personally appeared
Capt. Sewell Toppan, and made solemn oath, that the foregoing
declaration, by him subscribed, is true.
Before me, Jos. May, Jus. Pacis.
XII.
ROBERT BRAGG, of Newburyport, mariner, of the schooner
Laura of Newburyport, Sewell Toppan master, testifies : That
on Thursday last, about ten o'clock A. M. coming in said schoon-
er, bound from Newburyport to Boston, off Eastern point, (Cape
Ann) about a mile and a half from the shore, I being on deck, the
vessel being becalmed, looking at the windward, I saw something
break the water, and coming very fast towards us; I mentioned
it to the man at helm, William Somerby; the animal came about
28 or 30 feet from us, between the vessel and the shore, and pass-
ed very swiftly by us; he left a very long wake behind him.
About six inches in height of his body and head were out of water,
and as I should judge about 14 or 15 feet in length. He had a
head like a serpent, rather larger than his body and rather blunt;
did not see his eyes; when astern of the vessel about 30 feet,
he threw out his tongue about two feet in length; the end of it ap-
peared to me to resemble a fisherman's harpoon; he raised his
tongue several times perpendicularly, or nearly so, and let it fall
again. He was in sight about ten minutes. I think he moved
4

22
no
at the rate of 12 or 14 miles an hour; he was of a dark choco-
late colour, and from what appeared out of water I should sup.
pose he was about two and a half feet in circumference; he made
oise ; his back and body appeared smooth ; a small bunch
on each side of his head, just above his eyes; he did not appear
to be at all disturbed by the vessel ; his course was in the direc-
tion for the Salt Islands ; his motion was much swifter than any
whale that I have ever seen, and I have seen many did not ob-
serve any teeth; his motion was very steady, a little up and down.
To this account I am willing to make oath.
ROBERT BRAGG.
XIII.
I, WILLIAM SOMERBY of the schooner Laura, testify and say:
That on Thursday last about 10 o'clock, A. M. as I was coming
in said schooner from Newburyport, bound to Boston, off Brace's
cove, a little eastward of Eastern point, (Cape Ann) about two
miles from land, the sea calm, I was at helm. Robert Bragg, one
of the crew, asked me if that was not the snake coming, pointing
out a break in the water, south of us; a strange animal of the
serpent form passed very swiftly by us—the nearest distance I
should judge to be between 30 and 40 feet-the upper part of his
back and head was above water—the length that appeared was
about 12 or 15 feet, his head was like a serpent's, tapering off to
a point. He threw out his tongue a number of times, extended
about two feet from his jaws—the end of it resembled a harpoon-
he threw his tongue backwards several times over his head, and
let it fall again-I saw one of his eyes as he passed ; it appeared
very bright, and about the size of the eye of an ox The col-
our of all that appeared was very dark, almost black. He did
not appear to take any notice of the vessel, and made no noise.
There appeared a bunch above the eye-Should judge him to
be about two and a half feet in circumference. Have often seen
whales at sea.
The ion of this animal was much swifter
than that of any whale. The motion of the body was rising and

23
falling as he advanced, the head moderately vibrating from side
to side. The colour of his tongue was a light brown.
To this account I am willing to make oath.
WILLIAM SOMERBY.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, August 30, 1817. Then ap-
peared Robert Bragg and William Somerby, and made oath to
the truth of the above declarations, by them respectively subscrib-
ed.
Before me, Jos. May, Jus. Pacis.
SOCIE
XIV.
Boston, September 2, 1817.
SIR,
Your letter of the 28th ult. to the Committee of the Linnæan
Society, and the accompanying depositions, were duly received,
and were yesterday communicated to the Society. The commit-
tee are greatly obliged to you for your ready compliance with
their request. In these sentiments the Society unite, and I am
charged with the agreeable office of communicating to you their
vote of thanks for your very acceptable labours. What you
have thus accomplished will go far in giving some precise and
accurate conceptions on a subject, peculiarly exposed to exagger-
ation and mistake. This evidence, with some additional docu.
ments, will probably be published. The Committee will not
make their final report on the subject of their commission until
evidence shall be procured respecting some other reputed ap-
pearances of like description, particularly one at Plymouth in
1815:
We have been informed that the animal at Gloucester was
once seen, and it was said by a woman, lying dormant very
near the shore. The Committee wished this intimation to be giv-
en to you, that if it should point to any material circumstances,
the evidence might be taken.
The last we hear of the object of our inquiry is of his ap-
pearance off Eastern point on the 28th ult. This we gather from

24
the testimony of Capt. Toppan, and his crew, of the schooner
Laura, coming from Newburyport to Boston
It appears by your letter, that you had sight of the animal.
A letter from you, giving a detailed account of your observa-
tions, would be particularly acceptable.
We understand that a gentleman in Gloucester, (Capt. Beach,)
has a drawing, supposed to be a pretty good representation of the
animal. Some information respecting this drawing would be
agreeable ; how far it is considered by those who had the best
view of the animal as a correct representation, and whether the
person possessing it would be disposed to permit an engraving
from it to be annexed to the publication of the evidence, and
on what terms.
Yours very respectfully,
JNO. DAVIS.
XV.
Gloucester, September 9, 1817.
SIR,
Your favour of the second inst. has been received. The vote
of thanks of the Linnæan Society for my services was highly
gratifying to me, not simply on account of the high consideration
I entertain for the members of that laudable institution ; but
likewise for the agreeable manner, and respectable channel,
through which their vote of thanks was communicated to me.
I have seen and conversed with the woman, who was said to
have seen the serpent dormant on the rocks, near the water, to
whom you refer in yours; but she can give no material evidence.
She says that she saw something, resembling a large log of wood,
on the rocks, on the extreme eastern point of Ten Pound island,
(a small island in our harbour,) resting partly on the rocks, and
partly in the water. The distance was about half a mile. She
took a glass, looked at the object, and saw it move. Her
attention was for a short time arrested, by some domestic avo-
cation, and when she looked for the object again, it had disap.
peared.

25
two extremes.
You request a detailed account of my observations, relative to
the serpent. I saw him on the fourteenth ultimo, and when
nearest, I judged him to be about two hundred and fifty yards
from me.
At that distance I judged him (in the largest part)
about the size of a half barrel, gradually tapering towards the
Twice I saw him with a glass, only for a short
time, and at other times, with the naked eye, for nearly half an
hour. His colour appeared nearly black-his motion was verti-
cal. When he moved on the surface of the water, the track in
his rear was visible, for at least half a mile.
His velocity, when moving on the surface of the water, I
judged was at the rate of a mile in about four minutes. When
immersed in the water, his speed was greater, moving, I should
say, at the rate of a mile in two or at most three minutes. When
moving under water, you could often trace him by the motion of
the water, on the surface, and from this circumstance. I conclude
he did not swim deep. He apparently went as straight through
>the water, as you could draw a line. When he changed his
course, it diminished his velocity but little—the two extremes
that were visible appeared rapidly moving in opposite directions,
and when they came parallel, they appeared not more than a
yard apart. With a glass, I could not take in, at one view, the
two extremes of the animal, that were visible. I have looked at
a vessel at about the same distance, and could distinctly see forty
five feet. If he should be taken, I have no doubt that his length
will be found seventy feet, at least, and I should not be surprised,
if he should be found one hundred feet long. When I saw him
I was standing on an eminence, on the sea shore, elevated about
thirty feet above the surface of the water, and the sea was smooth.
If I saw his head, I could not distinguish it from his body;
though there were seafaring men near me, who said that they
could distinctly see his head. I believe they spoke truth; but
not having been much accustomed to look through a glass, I was
not so fortunate.
I never saw more than seven or eight distinct portions of him
above the water, at any one time, and he appeared rough ;

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
not been able to ascertain how far his drawing is thought a cor-
rect representation.
Respectfully, Sir,
your most ob't,
LONSON NASH.
Hon. John Davis.
XVI.
Boston, September 1, 1817.
SIR,
At a meeting of the Linnean Society, on the 18th 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
in 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.
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 so a-
broad. Any co-operation which you may wish from magis-
An ap-

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,
tee.
FRANCIS C. GRAY,
Mr. SAMUEL Davis, Plymouth.
XVII.
Plymouth, Oct. 2, 1817.
GENTLEMEN,
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 uniformly
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 his
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
I

28
to the point of time, it must have been from known data be
tween the 18th and 25th of June. And I would remark, that
this is exactly the season when the first setting in of mackerel oc-
curs in our bay.
Yours respectfully,
S. DAVIS.
Hon. J. Davis,
Dr. J. BIGELOW,
Committee of the Lin-
Mr. F. C. GRAY,
næan Society.
XVIII.
I, ELKANAH Finney of Plymouth, in the County of Plym-
outh, Mariner, testify and say: That about the twentieth of June
A. D. 1815, being at work near my house, which is situated near
the sea shore in Plymouth, at a place called Warren's cove,
where the beach joins the main land my son, a boy, came from
the shore and informed me of an unusual appearance on the sur-
face of the sea in the cove. I paid little attention to his story at
first; but as he persisted in saying that he had seen something
very remarkable, I looked towards the cove, where I saw some-
thing which appeared to the naked eye to be drift sea weed. I
then viewed it through a perspective glass, and was in a moment
satisfied that it was some aquatic animal, with the form, motion
and appearance of which I had hitherto been unacquainted.
It was about a quarter of a mile from the shore, and was mov.
ing with great rapidity to the northward. It then appeared to
be about thirty feet in length; the animal went about half a mile
to the northward; then turned about, and while turning, display-
ed a greater length than I had before seen ; I supposed at least
an hundred feet. It then came towards me, in a southerly di-
rection, very rapidly, until he was in a line with me, when he stop-
ped, and lay entirely still on the surface of the water. I then had
a good view of him through my glass, at the distance of a
quarter of a mile. His appearance in this situation was like a
string of buoys. I saw perhaps thirty or forty of these protu-

29
more.
berances or bunches, which were about the size of a barrel. The
head appeared to be about six or eight feet long, and where it
was connected with the body was a little larger than the body.
His head tapered off to the size of a horse's head. I could not
discern any mouth. But what I supposed to be his under jaw
had a white stripe extending the whole length of the head, just
above the water. While he lay in this situation, he appeared
to be about a hundred or a hundred and twenty feet long.
The body appeared to be of a uniform size. I saw no part of
the animal which I supposed to be a tail. I therefore thought
he did not discover to me his whole length. His colour was a
deep brown or black. I could not discover any eyes, mane,
gills, or breathing holes. I did not see any fins or legs. The
animal did not utter any sound, and it did not appear to notice
any thing. It remained still and motionless for five minutes or
The wind was light with a clear sky, and the water quite
smooth. He then moved to the southward ; but not with so
rapid a motion as I had observed before. He was soon out of
my sight. The next morning I rose very early to discover him.
There was a fresh breeze from the south, which subsided about
eight o'clock. It then became quite calm, when I again saw
the animal about a mile to the northward of my house, down the
beach. He did not display so great a length as the night bea
fore, perhaps not more than twenty or thirty feet. He often dis-
appeared, and was gone five or ten minutes under water. I
thought he was diving or fishing for his food. He remained in
nearly the same situation, and thus employed, for two hours. I
then saw him
moving off, in a northeast direction, towards the
light house. I could not determine whether its motion was up
and down, or to the right and left. His quickest motion was
very rapid; I should suppose at the rate of fifteen or twenty
miles an hour. Mackerel, manhaden, herring, and other bait
fish abound in the cove, where the animal was seen.
ELKANAH FINNEY.

30
Plymouth ss. October 2, 1817. The above ramed Elkanah
Finney appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing
statement, by him subscribed, before me,
NATHANIEL M. Davis, Jus, Peace,
XIX.
Bath, September 17, 1817.
DEAR SIR,
SUPPOSING the interests of natural science may be promoted,
and some light thrown on a subject, which receives, as it deserves,
much attention; and understanding lately from Dr. Vaughan
of Hallowell, and Mr. Professor Farrar of Cambridge, that
the Linnaan Society is prosecuting researches respecting it, I
make no other apology for communicating to you the following
statements in reference to the Sea Serpent of our coasts.
|They consist of extracts from some MS. Notes on the Dis-
trict of Maine, which I have been in the habit of making ever
since I have resided in the country, and I shall transcribe liter-
ally, in order to communicate with greater accuracy.
« June 28th, 1809. The Rev. Mr. Abraham Cummings,'
(who has been much employed in Missions in the District of
Maine, and navigated his own boat among the islands, &c. in the
discharge of his duty,“ informs me,” in conversation, which was
)
immediately written from his lips, “that in Penobscot bay has
been occasionally seen within these thirty years, a Sea Serpent, sup-
posed to be about sixty feet in length, and of the size of a sloop's
Rev. Mr Cummings saw him, in company with his wife
and daughter, and a young lady of Belfast, Martha Spring ; and
judged he was about three times the length of his boat, which is
twenty three feet. When he was seen this time he appeared not
to notice the boat, though he was distant, as nearly as could be as-
certained, but about fifteen rods. Mr. Cummings observes, that
the British saw him in their expedition to Bagaduse ;-that the in-
habitants of Fox and Long islands have seen such an animal;-and
that a Mr. Crocket saw two of them together about twenty two
mast.
9
1
1
1

31
Power
years
since. When he was seen by the inhabitants of Fox island,
two persons were together at both times. People also of Mount
Desert have seen the monster. One of those which were seen by
Mr. Crocket was smaller than that seen by Mr. Cummings, and
their motion in the sea appeared to a perpendicular winding, and
not horizontal. The British supposed the length of that, which
they saw, to be three hundred feet, but this Mr. Cummings im-
agines to be an exaggeration. A gentleman of intelligence (Rev.
Alden Bradford of Wiscasset, now Secretary of the Common-
wealth,) inquired of Mr. Cummings whether the appearance might
not be produced by a number of porpoises following each other
in a train ; but Mr. Cummings asserts, that the animal held his
head out of water about five feet till he got out to sea ; for
when seen he was going out of the bay, and Mr. Cummings was
ascending it. The colour was a bluish green about the head and
neck, but the water rippled so much over his body that it was
not possible to determine its tint. The shape of the head was
like that of a common snake, flattened, and about the size of a
pail. He was seen approaching, passing, and departing. Till
1 this, Mr. Cummings was as incredulous in respect to its existence,
as many of his neighbours. The weather was calm, and it was
the month of August, in which month, Mr. Cummings remarks,
that, as far as he has heard, the serpent makes his appearance on
the coast."
I am inclined to suppose that Mr. Cummings' account is that,
which in one of the public papers was lately alluded to, as hav-
ing been communicated to the American Academy of Arts and
Sciences, but mislaid. (N3.91 e suce found.)
“ Aug. 23, 1809. Mr. Charles Shaw, (then of Bath, now
1 an attorney in Boston,) informed me, that a Capt. Lillis, with
all whom he had sailed, observed cursorily in conversation, that he
had seen off the coast a very singular fish; it appeared, said he,
more like a snake than a fish, and was about forty feet long. It
held its head erect, had no mane, and looked like an ordinary
serpent. He asked Mr. Shaw, if he had ever seen, or read, or
heard of such an animal.”
92

32
3
About two years after hearing this, while on a journey to In-
dian Old town as one of the Massachusetts Commissioners to in.
duce the Indians to cultivate their lands, I had opportunity to
make further inquiry, and find in my journal the following entry.
“ Sept. 10, 1811. Have heard to-day further testimony re-
specting the Sea Serpent of the Penobscot. A Mr. Staples of
• Prospect, (of whom I inquired as I passed, was told by a Mr.
1 Miller, of one of the islands of the bay, that he had seen it; and
6 it was as big as a sloop's boom, and about sixty or seventy feet
long.' He told me also that about 1780, as a schooner was ly-
ing at the mouth of the river, or in the bay, one of these enor-
mous creatures leaped over it between the masts-that the men
ran into the hold for fright, and that the weight of the serpent
| sunk the vessel one streak,' or plank. The schooner was of
about eighteen tons."
These extracts I put into your hands, dear sir, without any
comment. If they shall tend to increase the evidence of facts,
on which the Linnæan Society is seeking information, you will
make of them what use is deemed expedient. It is, however,
proper to suggest, that the Rev. Mr. Cummings can probably
furnish more testimony on the subject, although I attempted to
elicit from him what he possessed. He is now, I believe, on mis-
sion, (with a boat obtained in this town,) at the Grand Menan,
or in its vicinity.
With great respect,
Your, and the Society's obed't servant,
WILLIAM JENKS.
Hon'ble JUDGE Davis,
President of the Linnæan Society.
XX.
The account given by Pontoppidan of the Sea Snake said to
have been often seen near the coast of Norway, agrees in so ma-
ny particulars with the preceding depositions and statements, that
your Committee think proper to lay it before you, as affording
additional evidence of the existence of the animal, described in

33
them; since they display coincidences with that account appar-
ently too close and numerous to be attributed to mere accident,
and beyond any reasonable suspicion of design. The work of
Pontoppidan is hardly known in this country, and the extracts
from it in the Cyclopedia of Dr. Rees, and in Guthrie's Geogra-
phy, state but few of the peculiarities, in which this coincidence is
observed; and mingle with these few, several traits ascribed by
Pontoppidan to a different animal, none of which agree with any
statement in our depositions.
Extracts from the Natural History of Norway, by Pontop-
pidan, Bishop of Bergen, translated from the Danish. London,
1755. Part 2. From p. 196 to p. 207.
« This creature, particularly in the North Sea, continually
keeps himself at the bottom of the sea, excepting in the months of
July and August, which is their spawning time; and then they
come to the surface in calm weather, but plunge into the water
again, so soon as the wind raises the least wave.”—“ I have
questioned its existence myself till that suspicion was removed
by full and sufficient evidence from credible and experienced fish-
ermen and sailors in Norway; of which there are hundreds, who
can testify that they have annually seen them. All these persons
agree very well in the general description.”
“ In all my inquiry about these affairs, I have hardly spoke
with any intelligent person, born in the Manor of Nordland, who
was not able to give a pertinent answer, and strong assurances of
the existence of this fish: and some of our north traders, that
come here every year with their merchandize, think it a very
strange question, when they are seriously asked whether there be
any such creature; they think it as ridiculous as if the question
was put to them whether there be such fish as eel or cod.”
The author then records a letter from the honourable Law-
rence de Ferry, Captain in the Navy ; which is as follows:
66 MR. JOHN REUTZ.
“ The latter end of August, in the year 1746, as I was on a
“voyage, in my return from Trundheim, in a very calm and hot

S4
day, having a mind to put in at Molde, it happened that when
we were arrived with my vessel within six English miles of the
aforesaid Molde, being at a place called Jule-Næss, as I was read-
ing in a book, I heard a kind of murmuring voice from amongst
the men at the oars, who were eight in number, and observed that
the man at the helm kept off from the land. Upon this I in-
quired what was the natter and was informed that there was a
Sea Snake before us. I then ordered the man at the helm to
keep to the land again and to come up with this creature, of
which I had heard so many stories. Though the fellows were
under some apprehensions, they were obliged to obey my orders.
In the mean time this Sea Snake passed by us, and we were
obliged to tack the vessel about in order to get nearer to it. As
the snake swam faster than we could row,
I took my gun,
that
was ready charged, and fired at it: on this he immediately
plunged under the water. We rowed to the place where it sunk
down, which in the calm might easily be observed, and lay upon
our oars, thinking it would come up again to the surface ; how-
ever it did not. When the Snake plunged down, the water ap-
peared thick and red; perhaps some of the shot might wound it,
the distance being very little. The head of this Snake, which it
held more than two feet above the surface of the water, resem-
bled that of a horse. It was of a greyish colour, and the mouth
was quite black and very large. It had black eyes and a long
white mane that hung down from the neck to the surface of the
water. * [Besides the head and neck, we saw seven or eight folds
or coils of this Snake, which were very thick, and as far as we
could guess, there was about a fathom distance between each
fold. TT related this affair in a certain company where there was
a person of distinction present, who desired that I would com-
municate to him an authentic detail of all that happened ; and
for this reason two of my sailors, who were present at the same
the se
* This statement is not absolute proof that the animal here describ-
ed was different from that seen near Gloucester. For when the head
was elevated above the water, the white colour of the neck, or the
spray of the sea, might possibly have been mistaken for a mane.

35
time and place when I saw this monster, (namely Nicholas Peda
erson Kopper, and Nicholas Nicholson Anglewigen) shall appear
in court to declare on oath the truth of every particular herein
set forth; and I desire the favour of an attested copy of the said
descriptions.
" I remain, Sir, your obliged servant,
(Signed) L. DE FERRY."
Bergen, 21 February, 1751.
« After this the before named witnesses gave their corporal
oaths, and with their finger held up according to law, witnessed and
confirmed the aforesaid letter or declaration, and every particu-
lar set forth therein, to be strictly true. A
copy
of the said at-
testation was made out for the said Procurator Reutz, and grant-
ed by the recorder. That this was transacted in our Court of
Justice we confirm with our hands and seals.”
“ Signed by A. C. DASS, Recorder of Bergen,
and by H. C. GARDNER, First Burgher.”
Pontoppidan then describes a monster with fins, seen by Mr.
Egede, a Greenland missionary, and declares that it differs much
from the Sea Snake, of which he has had the most consistent ace
counts; he then returns to the Sea Snake and says:
“Though one cannot have an opportunity of taking the ex-
act dimensions of this creature, yet all that have seen it are unani.
mous in affirming, as far as they can judge at a distance, it ap-
pears to be the length of a cable, i. e. one hundred fathoms, or
six hundred English feet; that it lies on the surface of the wa-
ter, when it is very calm, in many folds ; and that there are in
a line with the head some small parts of the back to be seen above
the surface of the water when it moves or bends. These at a
distance appear like so many casks or hogsheads floating in a line
with a considerable distance between them Mr. Tuchsen of
Heroe is the only person of the many correspondents, I have,
that informs me he has observed the difference between the body
and the tail of this creature as to thickness. It appears that this
creature does not, like the eel or land snake, taper gradually to
BE

36
eyes and
2 point, but the body, which looks to be as big as two hogsheads,
grows remarkably small at once just where the tail begins. The
head in all the kinds has a high and broad forehead, but in some
a pointed snout, though in others that is flat, like that of a cow or
horse, with large nostrils, and several stiff hairs standing out on
each side like whiskers. They add that the eyes of this creature
are very large, of a blue colour, and look like a couple of bright
pewter plates. The whole animal is of a dark brown colour,
but it is speckled and variegated with light streaks or spots, that
shine like tortoise shell. It is of a darker hue about the
mouth than elsewhere, and appears in that part a good deal like
those horses, which we call Moors heads.+Those on our coast
differ from the Greenland sea snakes, with regard to the skin,
which is as smooth as glass, and has not the least wrinkle but
about the neck, where there is a kind of mane, which looks like
a parcel of sea weeds hanging down to the water. Some say it
sheds its skin like the land snake. It seems the wind is so des.
1
tructive to this creature, that, as has been observed before, it is
never seen on the surface of the water, but in the greatest calm,
and the least gust of wind drives it immediately to the bottom
again. These creatures shoot through the water like an arrow
out of a bow, seeking constantly the coldest places. I have been
informed by some of our seafaring men that a cable would not
be long enough to measure the length of some of them, when
they are observed on the surface of the water in an even line.
They say those round lumps or folds sometimes lie one after an-
other as far as a man can see."
“If any one inquires how many
folds
may
be counted in a
Sea Snake, the answer is, that the number is not always the same,
but depends upon the various sizes of them ; five and twenty is
the greatest number I find well attested. Adam Olearius in his
Gottorf Museum, p. 17. writes of it thus: “A person of disa
tinction from Sweden related here at Gottorf, that he had heard
the Burgomaster of Malmoe, a very worthy man, say, that as
I he was once standing on the top of a high hill towards the North
* Sea, he saw in the water, which was very calm, a Snake, which
37, 38.

37
appeared at that distance to be as thick as a pipe of wine, and had
twenty five folds. Those kind of Snakes only appear at certain
times and in calm weather."
36.
We have seen and heard sundry other statements of various
authority relating to similar animals, said to have been seen at
sea by different persons; but do not insert them in our report,
because we consider the foregoing testimony sufficient to place
the existence of the animal beyond a doubt; and because they
do not appear so minute and so well authenticated as the precede
ing documents.
6

98
ACCOUNT
OF THE
SCOLIOPHIS ATLANTICUS.
Exorios, flexuosus, o015, serpens.
ABOUT four weeks after the foregoing depositions had been
received, a serpent of remarkable appearance was brought from
Gloucester to Boston, and exhibited as the progeny of the great
serpent. It had been killed upon the sea shore by some labour-
hh ing people of Cape Ann. [Capt. Beach jun. the possessor, very
liberally submitted it to examination, and permitted an opening
to be made in the side for the inspection of its internal structure,
The following appearances were the result of this examination.
External appearance.
The animal had the general form and external characters of
a serpent; but was remarkably distinguished from all others of
that class known to your Committee, by a row of protuberances
along the back, apparently formed by undulations of the spine.
From the back of the head to the first of these protuberances,
was a distance of three inches and three fifths of an inch, during
which the spine was straight. – Between this place and the vent,
36. its undulations were nearly regular; twenty four of these protu-
berances, about equally distant from each other, occupying the
space between the neck and the vent. From the latter to the
twenty fifth protuberance, the spine formed a straight line, of the
length of one inch and nine tenths ; its undulations there com-
menced again, and were continued quite to the extremity of the
tail, forming sixteen more distinct protuberances. The size of
these forty protuberances was proportioned to that of the body
at the places, where they were respectively situated. The body
36
* Exoniwcis, apud Hippocratem, Spince distortio.

39
5
could be bent with facility upward and downward as represented
in Plate I. a circumstance not common to other serpents.* Those
parts of the spine, which were straight, admitted much less mo-
tion in a vertical direction, than those, which were undulatory.
ft. in.
The length of the head was
11
From the back of the head to the vent 2 24
From the vent to the end of the tail
7
Whole length
2 113
The smallest circumference of the neck, one inch and a half.
The circumference of the body over the largest protuberances 2
inches. The circumference of the body between the two largest
protuberances 2.0 inches. The size of the body aiminished sud-
denly at the vent, immediately beyond which the circumference
of the tail was one inch and three fifths. - The tail was round,
and tapered very much, terminating in a point.
The head was rather larger than the neck, flattened its ante-
rior part pyramidal, rounded at the nose ; the upper lip entire.
The back part of the head was so much bruised that its original
form was not easily distinguishable. - In the fragments of the up-
per jaw were seen three slender recurved teeth ; in those of one
side of the under jaw seven similar teeth, and the sockets of three
others. No venomous fangs were found. The tongue was bifid,
each fork being nearly half an inch long, --The nostrils, situated
between the second and third plate from the nose, were large,
and oval. Between the nostril and the eye was a longitudinal
hollow, bounded beneath by the upper lip, above by a very prom-
inent superciliary ridge, extending beyond the eye. The eye
was very large, nearly round, its breadth apparently a little di-
minished by the superciliary ridge, jutting over it. The whole
head was covered with plates, but those on the top of it were so
much broken, that their number and form could not be perfectly
ascertained. The under jaw was divided by a longitudinal fur-
1
* Ce mode d'articulation explique très bien le mouvement du corps
des reptiles, qui, en général, s'exécute sur les côtés, et non de haut en
bas, comme le représentent les peintres.
Cuvier Anat. comp. i. 176.

40
row, having a triangular scutella at its anterior extremity, and
two rows of scutellä on each side.
The body was covered with hexagonal flat scales, those on
the back narrowest ; the throat with three or four rows of small
scales; the belly with a hundred and eighty plates; the tail with
ninety three pairs of scutellæ. -Over the vent was one pair of
scutellæ ; at its sides four pair, the scales opposite to which were
smaller than those on any other part of the body.
The colour of the head and of the upper part of the body and
tail was an uniform deep brown; that of the belly and under
part of the tail a bluish lead colour, lightest in the middle.
The whole of the under jaw and throat were white, which colour
extended in a clouded streak some way down under the neck, and
fore part of the belly.
In the general disposition of its colours, in the number, form,
and arrangement of the scuta and scutellæ, this animal approach-
es most nearly to the Coluber Constrictor;wfrom which however
it is strikingly distinguished by its undulating back, by its body
being larger in proportion to its length, and diminishing more
suddenly at the vent, the tail shorter; the teeth much larger and
more distant; and the colour brown instead of black.
This animal is probably amphibious, although it has not the
flat tail of the Pelamides unor did the examination of its exterior,
enable us to discover any thing in its structure, peculiarly adapt-
ing it to a residence in the water, excepting only the remarkable
facility of bending in a vertical direction. This motion, which
may be observed in the leech, and various other aquatic animals,
is quite as important as a horizontal one to an inhabitant of the
ocean, and comparatively useless in an animal confined to the
land.
Internal Structure.
The structure of the spine in this animal is very singular, and
different from that of any serpent which we have seen, or known
to be described. Its course throughout the greater part of the
body is regularly undulating or flexuous, consisting of successive
curves upward and downward. The structure of the different
ما

41
ang
د مهمه
vertebræ varies to accommodate itself to this configuration, so
that the spine cannot be extended into a straight line without dis-
location of its parts. In the portion of spinal column which we
1
examined, each curve consisted of about nine vertebræ. Each
vertebra was articulated by a round head on its posterior ex-
tremity to a socket in the anterior extremity of the next.* It
had five principal processes, one a spinous process; two anterior,
and two posterior transverse processes. There were also small-
er processes articulated with the ribs, and a sharp longitudinal
prominence underneath. -The spinous processes varied remarka-
bly in shape and size, according to the part of the spine in which
they were situated. Those occupying the top of the curve were
very broad, and those of the bottom of the curve very narrow;
the latter being not more than half the breadth of the former.)
-The top of the spinous processes in the ascending or anterior
half of each elevation of the back-bone projected considerably back-
ward. In the descending half, on the contrary, they projected
forward, (so as to appear as if this part of the spine were inverted,
The
space
between the spinous processes was very great amount-
ing to nearly two thirds of their longitudinal diameten); a circum-
stance which contributes very much to the vertical flexibility of
the spine,(being much greater than it is in the Boa constrictor,
one of the most flexible serpents, as represented by Sir Everard
Home in his comparative anatomy; or than it is in the Coluber
constrictor, which your committee have examined.) --Th
-The two an-
terior transverse processes are long and sharp, and are received
l'anatomie
corrento
an to an
entro
* This is the reverse of what Cuvier asserts of serpents in general,
in his learned work on comparative anatomy. He states that the tuber-
cle is on the anterior, and the cavity on the posterior part of the verte-
bra. “La partie antérieure du corps de la vertèbre présente un tuber-
cule arrondi demi-sphérique ; et la partie postérieure offre, au contraire,
une cavité correspondante ; de sorte que chacune des vertèbres est ar-
ticulée en genou avec celle qui la suit, et avec celle qui la précède."}
Leçons d'anatomie comparée I. 176.-We are induced to believe that in.
the above passage the terms anterior and posterior must have been mis-
placed. The tubercle, we think, always occupies the posterior part of
the vertebra.
confirms the
in their mote
3
Epe

42
under, or pass within the two posterior transverse processes of the
preceding vertebra. „They differ in direction according to the
place which they occupy. Those in the highest vertebræ pass
obliquely downwards, and those in the lowest, obliquely up-
wards; as may be seen in the vertebræ a and 6 in Fig. 6, Plate II.)
The posterior transverse processes also grow broader and less ob-
lique as the vertebræ descend. The whole connexion and propor-
tion of the processes is such, that the greatest downward flexion
takes place at the top of thecurve, and the greatest upward Aexion at
the bottom ; (an arrangement admirably adapted to increase the
power of the muscles which act in the vertical flexion of the spine.)
The ribs are articulated
by a double cavity
to a small double
headed
process
under the anterior transverse process of each ver-
tebra. They differ in length and direction, those at the bottom
of the curve being shorter and more spreading than those at the
top:) so that the lower extremities of the whole fall in a right
line.
Muscles. The principal muscles on the outside of the trunk con-
sist of three strong dorsal muscles with oblique fibres continually
arising from the vertebral processes,or ribs;and inserted by an apon-
eurosis into other bones of a similar kind. -Below these is a broad
thin lateral muscle or congeries of muscles, connected to the ribs
only. These muscles according to their situation act in perform-
ing the various inflexions of the body.)
On the inside of the ribs a series of their muscles was ob-
served, arising from the bodies of the vertebræ, passing obliquely
downwards and forward under three ribs and over the fourth
and afterwards inserted into ribs beyond. These muscles in con-
junction with others, (according to Sir Everard Home and other
authors, act upon the ribs in serpents to assist their progressive
motion on land.

43
Viscera. The only part of the viscera, which the limited openings
permitted us to examine, were a portion of the lung and oesopha-
gus, with the mesentery and blood vessels; also a small part of the
stomach. -The lung was a long cellular and tubular viscus, as
in other serpents; but with this remarkable peculiarity. It was
successively dilated and contracted so as to adapt itself to the
cavities formed by the undulations of the spine. -The æsopha-
gus was also unequal, but without relation to the cavities of the
spine, not being in contact with it. In the stomach was found a
mass of scales; also the tail and part of the skin of a serpent of
a different species, having all the scales carinate.
11
In regard to the use or final cause of the curvatures in the
back-bone, which give so peculiar a character to this animal; it
is obvious that two important ends are effected by it. These are
an increase of flexibility and an increase of strength in vertical mo-
tions.
1. The flexibility is increased, because in any given length of
body, there will be more joints in a crooked, than there would be
in a straight spine, composed of vertebræ of the same di-
mensions.
2. The strength in vertical motions is increased, since the
fulcrum formed by the highest articulation is more remote from
the power applied by the lateral muscles, and the fulcrum form-
ed by the lowest articulation is also more remote from the pow-
er applied by the dorsal muscles; than they would be if the spine
pursued a straight and intermediate course.
The dorsal muscles, however, being bound down by an apo-
neurosis, so as to pursue nearly the course of the spine, are neara
er their fulcrum and have less of this advantage than the lateral
muscles, which are farther from their fulcrum ; (so that the great-
est power is probably that which is exerted in the forward flex-
ion or extension of the body.) This power is the one which would
be most useful to the animal in swimming at the surface of the
water with a motion in any degree vertical.

44
Your committee considering this serpent* as nondescript, and
as distinct from other genera of serpents in the flexuous structure
of its spine;' have deemed it necessary to constitute a new genus,
founded on this peculiarity. They have adopted the descriptive
name of Scoliophis, and have added the local specific name of
Atlanticus. -Compared with the genera of Linnæus and Lace-
pede its character will stand thus :
SCOLIOPHIS.-Scuta on the belly, scutello on the tail, spine
flexuous.
Atlanticus.
SCOLIOPHIS.
:
The following documents relate to the appearance of this an-
38 imal while living, and to the circumstances under which it was
killed.
The deposition of GORHAM NORWOOD, of Gloucester.
I live in that part of the town of Gloucester, called Sandy Bay.
On Saturday, the 27th day of September last, I was at work in a
field near Loblolly cove about a mile and a half from Sandy
Bay viilago; Mr. Colbey and his son were at work near me.
The boy called out that there was a snake, and that it did not
move like other snakes, and did not move fast. I went with Mr.
Colbey immediately to the spot pointed out by the boy ; the snake
ar Share
had in the mean time taken shelter under a rock, which the boy
observed, and pointed out to us. I turned over the rock and
saw a snake coiled up; at my approach with a pitchfork, he rais-
ed his head, and began to move. I immediately pierced him
through with the pitchfork, and Mr. Colbey came up and bruised
the head of the snake with a stone, which he threw at him and by
which the Snake was killed. Upon examining the Snake, it
struck us as being different from any we had ever seen, and it
was concluded to carry it to the village of Sandy Bay. It was
viewed by many people, it being a training day at that place; Jend
all who viewed it, observed that they had never seen such a
* The specimen of the Scoliophis is now exhibiting by Capt. Beach,
its possessor. It has been presented by him to the Linnæan Society, to
he deposited in their cabinet, at the end of his exhibition.
45

45
son )
Snake before. -Snakes of different sorts, are frequently seen and
killed in and about the roads and rocks of the town, and in this
part
of it. The spot where this Snake was killed, was about ten
or twelve rods from the sea. He was between the sea and a pond
of brackish water, which the sea water enters in heavy storms.
Many of the persons who saw the Snake, suggested that it might
be the progeny of the Sea Serpent, which had been so much
talked of, and which was said to have been seen near the cove,
where this snake was killed. The Snake was sold to Mr. John
Gott, of Sandy Bay, who, I understand, afterwards delivered him
to Capt. Beach, jun.)
GORHAM NORWOOD.
44
On this seventh day of October, A D. 1817, the above-
named Gorham Norwood personally appeared, and made solemn
oath to the truth of the affidavit above, by him subscribed.
Before me, JAMES SAVAGE, Justice of Peace.
Gloucester, October 8, 1817.
DEAR SIR,
Your kind favour of the 30th ultimo has been received.--
I presume the young serpent, that I supposed to be the progeny
of the remarkable Sea Serpent, that was so often seen in the har-
bour, in this place, has been minutely examined by the mem-
bers of the Linnæan Society. The young serpent ought to un-
dergo the severest scrutiny, and I doubt not, the investigation,
by your society, will be thorough and satisfactory to the public.
( That I might be enabled to communicate the circumstances
attending the capture of the young serpent more minutely, on
Friday last, I went to view the place where he was taken, ac-
companied by Mr. Colbey. He pointed out the spot, where he
was first seen by his son, and the place where killed. -My state-
ment to you, on the 28th ultimo, relative to the distance from the
sea, where the young serpent was killed, was not correct. I
was informed, by Capt. Beach, that he was within twelve or four-
teen feet of the sea, when killed ; but I paced the ground, and
7

46
45
go
and found the distance, from high water mark, one hundred and
fifty paces. He lay extended by some whortleberry bushes, when
first discovered. The boy called to his father (who was at four or
five rods distance) to run, for he had never seen so strange a
snake. Mr. Colbey ran, with a pitchfork in his hand, and with
his fork, confined the serpent against some loose rocks; when
the serpent exhibited the most violent temper. Twice he bit
himself, held on, and shook, (to use Mr. Colbey's expression.) as
one dog shakes another, when fighting. His tail seemed like-
wise a weapon of defence; for he struck the end of it against the
fork handle several times. His motion was vertical ; his pro-
gress was very slow, not near so fast as a man ordinarily walks.
His progressive motion was produced, by first contracting, and
then extending himself. When contracted, Mr. Colbey says, he
was not more than one foot and half in length; and then the
protuberances on his back were, at least, three times as large, as
1
when extended. The young serpent was killed in a meadow,
near Loblolly cove. (Loblolly cove lies upon the eastern shore
of Cape Ann, about west from Thatcher's island. This cove
makes up about one hundred and fifty yards into the main land,
1
in a southwesterly direction. This cove is not much frequented;
the nearest dwelling houses are distant from the cove, from one
fourth, to half a mile. Doctor Kittredge has been out of town;
or I should have answered your letter sooner. He was the wri-
ter of the article in the Patriot, to which you refer, in which the
great aquatic serpent is represented to have been seen, on shore,
here. He says it was general report, and he supposed there
was no doubt of the fact. -I requested him to get some evidence
of this fact, if possible ; but he informs me that he has not been
able to; though he will still make further inquiry. -I do not be
lieve that he was ever seen on land here; though this, and a
thousand other rumours, have been in circulation, relative to the
mammoth prodigy. (Should it hereafter be ascertained, that
the great serpent has been seen on land here, I shall take the ear.
liest opportunity to inform you of a fact, so important.
Respectfully, dear sir,
Your most obedient,
Hon. JOHN DAVIS, Boston,
LONSON NASH.
C

47
A few remarks on the question, whether the great
Serpent, seen in the harbour of Gloucester, be
the Scoliophis Atlanticus, will close our report.
The appearance at nearly the same time and place of two
creatures, agreeing with each other in certain important and con-
spicuous particulars, disagreeing in the most remarkable of these
particulars with other animals of their class; and between whom
no difference, but that of size, has been discovered, must natur-
ally lead to a conjecture that they are of the same species. The
evidences in favour of this supposition are so considerable, that
your Committee would not be justified in neglecting to direct
your
attention to them.
The principal circumstances which encourage the idea that
these animals possess the same structure and configuration are the
following
The appearances noticed in the depositions, relative to the
great Serpent, except in the few instances of contradiction, all of
them agree
with, and are accounted for, by a structure like that
of the Scoliophis. The protuberances seen above water might
be produced in two ways. By bunches on the back projecting
out of the water, while the animal was at rest, (as in No. 8 and
No. 18. or by vertical undulations of the body when in motion, as
stated in Nos. 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10.)-The supposition that both
these appearances have been presented at different times, is the
most satisfactory mode of accounting for the variety of testimo-
ny with regard to the number, size, and distance of these protuber-
ances. The other facts stated in relation to the form and gener-
al arrangement of colours in the large Serpent, apply sufficiently
well to the Scoliophis. (The shape of the head and proportion
of the eye-the protuberance on the side of the head, just above
the eye--the form of the mouth-the distance from the head to
the commencement of the protuberances—the brown colour of
the body, and the whitish colour of the under part of the head
and neck--the disappearance of bunches from what was suppos-

48
ed to be the navel towards the tail--the tapering of the body to-
ward the tail-its roundness, and great flexibility, are all points of
the closest resemblance. These coincidences cannot be the ef-
fect of design; since all the depositions from Gloucester, relative
to the great Serpent, were in the hands of your Committee be-
fore the Scoliophis was discovered.
Some other circumstances stated by the deponents, though
not applying to the smaller serpent, are nevertheless easy to be
accounted for. The prong or spear seen near the head of the an-
imal when in motion, was probably the tongue. (The shape of
a harpoon ascribed to that organ was doubtless an optical illu-
sion, occasioned by its rapid vibration; and this, it is well known,
is not the first instance of such a deception.)
The structure of the Scoliophis is well suited to a residence in
the water, being capable of various and complicated motions. It
bends horizontally, as did the great Serpent, in the act of turning;
it bends vertically, as that animal was supposed to do, in the act
of swimming; and it might assume any compound and interme-
diate motion, which should be most effectual in propelling it
through the water.
It is worthy of remaſk, that nearly all the circumstances with
regard to the appearance of the great Serpent, stated by the depo-
nents, as facts, agree with the structure of the Scoliophis. On
the other hand, those stated as conjectures, Cuch as these, that the
whole belly was white, that the animal had a navel, and no bunch-
es beyond that quite to the end of the tail, &c. Jalmost uniformly
disagree with it. (This is what might naturally be expected from
honest men testifying in regard to an object, with which they
were but partially acquainted.)
Supposing that the species of the two serpents is the same, it
is not improbable that one is the progeny of the other. The Col-
ubri without fangs, (the tribe most nearly resembling the Scolio-
phis, are said by naturalists to be generally if not always ovipa-
Fous; to deposit their eggs in the sand in the spring or the end of
summer, and to abandon them. These eggs are hatched by the

49
1
heat of the sun often in less time than a month. * It will be res
marked that the large serpents described in our accounts and de-
positions, were seen near the shore, and only in the month of
August, excepting once at Plymouth in June.
The principal objections against the specific identity of these
two animals are derived from the following circumstances.
1. Their disproportionate size. This however is not appar-
ently greater than is found between the young and the full grown
individuals of some other animals, The Boa constrictor may
be
mentioned as an instance.t
2. The one was seen only in the water and the other on land.
This objection is lessened when we recollect that the eggs of am-
phibious animals are deposited on land. The large serpent may
have visited the shore in the night or at other times. That it
was an amphibious animal, dependent on respiration, is rendered
probable by its general structure, and by its frequenting the sur-
face of the water, often with its head elevated above it. -The
small serpent was found near the salt water, in a place, over
which the sea breaks in stormy weather. Supposing it a young
animal, it might have remained in thie place where it was hatch-
ed, or it might occasionally have resorted to the shore from the
water. -We should not expect it to venture
far from the shore,
~-
h caos
out at sem
* Les couleuvres peuvent pondre des aufs jusqu'à deux fois chaque
année, savoir des les premiers jours du printems et vers la fin de l'été;
et il faut souvent moins d'un mois pour que la chaleur du soleil fasse
éclore leurs oeufs enterrés dans le fumier ou dans le sable.
Daudin hist. des Reptiles, t. 6, p. 232.
yf Les eufs du Devin (Boa constrictor) n'ont, en effet, que deux on
trois pouces dans leur plus grand diamètre. Tonte la matière dans
laquelle le fætus est renfermé, n'est donc que de quelques pouces
cu-
bes; et cependant, le serpent, lorsqu'il a atteint tout son développe-
ment, ne contient-il pas moins de quarante ou cinquante pieds cubes de
matière.
Lacépède list. des Serpens, t. 2, p. 185.
Il paroit que c'est a cette espèce qu'il faut rapporter les individus de
quarante ou cinquante pieds de longueur.
Id. t. 2, p. 144.
Daudin cites from Merrem the description of a young Boa constric- F
tor, whose whole length was fourteen inches and a half.
Daudin hist. des Reptiles, t 5, p 199.

50
until its increased size should afford it some security from be-
coming a prey to larger animals of the ocean.
The circumstance that no evidences of immaturity were ob-
served in the Scoliophis might be considered as the source of a
third objection, if it were not well known, that as serpents gen-
erally abandon their eggs, the young are perfect in all their parts,
and capable of providing for their own subsistence immediately
on being hatched. *
On the whole, as these two animals agree in so many con-
spicuous, important and peculiar characters, and as no material
difference between them has yet been clearly pointed out, except-
ing that of size; the Society will probably feel justified in con-
sidering them individuals of the same species, and entitled to the
same name, until a more close examination of the great Serpent
shall have disclosed some difference of structure, important
enough to constitute a specific distinction.
JOHN DAVIS,
EUR JACOB BIGELOW,
Boston, 11th Oct. 1817.
FRANCIS C. GRAY.
* Lorsque les petits Serpens sout éclos, ou qu'ils sont sorties tout
formés du ventre de leur mère, ils traînent seuls leur frèle existence:
ils n'apprennent de leur mère, (dont ils sont séparés, ni à distinguer
leur proie, ni à trouver un abri ; ils sont réduits à leur seul instinct.
Lacépède hist. nat. des Serpens, t. 1. p. 37.
One of the six general characteristics of Serpents, according to Dau-
din, is the following: “Des petits, qui au sortir de l'auf, sont parfait.
| ement semblables à leurs parens."
Daudin hist. des Reptiles, t. 5, p. 10.
ಅವರ
کرے
See p. 52,
for eplumo tiro e
the plotes.
stode

51
POSTSCRIPT.
[After the completion of the foregoing report, the following article
appeared in a New York paper.]
Rye-Neck, Oct. 21, 1817.
Silvanus Miller, Esq.
Sir, I observed in the Columbian of the 15th inst, a paragraph stating
that an animal had been seen in Long Island sound, corresponding with
the description of the serpent lately seen in Gloucester harbour. That
communication probably resulted from some observations which I made
to you, and several other gentlemen, on the subject alluded to. When I
spoke of that occurrence, I had no idea that it would become the subject
of newspaper remark; but since it has been publicly noticed, perhaps
å more particular detail of the circumstances may not be deemed im-
proper.
On Sunday, the 5th inst. at 10 o'clock A. M. while standing a few rods
from my house on Rye-Neck, I observed at a small distance to the south-
ward and eastward of Mr. Ezekiel Halsted's dwelling on Rye Point, and
perhaps not more than a half mile from the shore, a long, rough, dark
looking body, progressing rapidly up sound (towards New York) against
a brisk breeze, and a strong ebb tide. Viewing it with my glass convinc-
ed me it was a large living animal. His back, forty to fifty feet of which
was seen above the surface of the water, appeared to be irregular, une.
ven, and deeply indented. I did not at this time remark that his head
was more elevated above the water than the ridges or humps on his back.
Some trees standing near the water, Rye Point soon intercepting my
view of him, I hastened to a situation from which I obtained another
sight of him, as he passed that part of the sound opposite Hempstead
bay. At this time he appeared to be nearly in the middle of the sound-
his body more depressed below and his head more elevated above the
water, going with increased velocity in the direction of Sand's point,
creating a swell before him not unlike that made by a boat towed rapid-
ly at the stern of a vessel. From the time I first saw him till I lost sight
of him, perhaps could not have exceeded ten minutes, in which short
time he had gone probably not less than six or seven miles.
Understanding that Mr. James Guion, a gentleman of character and
respectability, had seen what was supposed to be the same animal, I
yesterday conversed with him on the subject. He states that on Friday
the 3d inst, while on the point of land on the east side of the mouth of
the Mamaroneck harbour, he saw at a little distance from the rocks, uslle
ally called the Scotch Caps, which lie at the extremity of Rye Point, a
large animal going with great rapidity up sound. He judged his speed
to be little or no less than a mile in a minute. He describes the irreg-
ularity and unevenness of his back, about fifty feet of which appeared
above the surface of the water, much in the way in which I have done.

52
I was yesterday informed on creditable authority, that on the day on
which I saw the above mentioned animal he was seen by some persons
at or in the vicinity of the light house on Sand's Point.
That it was a sea animal of great bulk, to me is certain. That it is
what is usually called a Sea Serpent, and the same which appeared in
Gloucester harbour, is only probable.
With much respect, Sir, yours, &c.
THOS. HERTTELL.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE I.
The Scoliophis Atlanticus copied from the specimen in possession of
Capt. Beach. The dimensions of the animal, the number, size and pro-
portion of the protuberances, are accurately preserved. The body is bent
vertically to shew its flexibility in that direction.
a. a. Portions of the head and throat so far destroyed that their
structure could not be ascertained.
Fig 3
PLATE II.
Fig. 1. Section of the body.
Fig. 2. Dissection of the same on the opposite side. A. A. A. Mus.
cles of the back. B. Lateral muscles. C. Intercostal muscles.
Inside view of the cavity of the ribs and spine, with the iri-
ternal muscles crossing the ribs.
Fig. 4. Side view of a vertebra.
Fig. 5. Front view of the same.
Fig 6. Portion of the spine, shewing the varieties of the vertebræ,
and the direction of the ribs.
Fig 7. Portions of viscera of the first section. A. The lungs, their
inequalities corresponding to the cavities in the spine. B. The mesen-
tery, which is attached on each side to the ribs. C. The great vein.
D. The Esophagus.
Fig. 8. Represents an opening in the throat. A. The trachea. B.
The Esophagus, with a blowpipe inserted into its cavity. C. Elastic,
retractile filaments of the tongue. D. D. Extremities of the ribs.

Scoliophis
J. Bigelow De
Manticus
W.B.Annin So.
inches
able authority, that on the day on
mal he was seen by some persons
ulk, to me is certain.--That it is
and the same which appeared in
on Sand's Point.
1
2
ווווווס
1112111111131111111111111511111
centimeters
IIIIII 10
THOS. HERTTELL.
ct, Sir, yours, &c.
m the specimen in possession of
mal, the number, size and pro-
ly preserved. The body is bent
t so far destroyed that their
Lirection.
300
opposite side. A. A. A. Mus.
Intercostal muscles.
he ribs and spine, with the iri-
the varieties of the vertebræ,
009
500 200
ection. A. The lungs, their
h the spine. B. The mesen-
e ribs. C. The great vein.
C. Elastic,
hroat. A. The trachea. B.
into its cavity.
Etremities of the ribs.
700400
550
800-500
850
600
700
THE PLATES.
9
8
15
1
39.12
13.24
15.07
2
65.43
18.11
18.72
dots per inch (optical
3
49.87
4.34
-22.29
44.26
-13.80
22.85
5
55.56
7
63.51
34.26
59.60
9
52.24
48.55
18.51
10
97.06
-0.40
1.13
11 (A)
92.02
-0.60
0.23
12
87.34
-0.75
0.21
13
82.14
-1.06
0.43
14
72.06
- 1.19
0.28
16 (M)
49.25
-0.16
0.01
17
38,62
-0.18
-0.04
18 (B)
28.86
0.54
0.60
19
16.19
-0.05
0.73
20
8.29
-0.81
0.19
21
3.44
-0.23
0.49
22
31.41
20.98
-19.43
23
72.46
-24.45
55.93
24
72.95
16.83
68.80
26
54.91
-38.91
30.77
27
43.96
52.00
30.01
28
82.74
29
52.79
50.88
-12.72
30
50.87
-27.17
Dor Williams
D50 Illuminant, 2 degree observer
Golden Thread
SN: OL0198
9.82
-24.49
70.82
-33.43
-0.35
39.92
11.81
-46.07
62.15
-1.07
0.19
25
29.37
13.06
-49.49
3.45
81.29
-29.46
Density
0.04
0.09
0.15
0.22
0.36
0.51
0.75
0.98
1.24
1.67
2.04
2.42
Colors by Munsell Color Services Lab


FU
Fig. 2.
A
A
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 7.
D
B
Fig. 8
W.BAnni Sc
3. Bigelow Data

Pam Linnaean Society of New England, Boston. 32030
1817
(Harper .
Li
D