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On the Kraken and Great Sea Serpent.

[March

of a distempered dream, or the offspring of wilful misrepresentation, are actually among the most sublime of the genuine works of nature, and, as such, worthy of our wonder and admiration, instead of being the habitual objects of contempt, ridicule, and disbelief.

The two most famous monsters described in history, are the Kraken or Krabben, called, by the Norwegians, Soe-horven, and Anker-trold, and the Great Sea Serpent. Till of late years, the history of these animals was deemed entirely fabulous; and although the existence of the latter has more than once been proved by the most satisfactory evidence, within a very recent period, the former is still regarded as a mere chimera. It is indeed singular, that when one of those facts has been fairly verified, which had been so long a matter of doubt, and the credibility of the author thereby established, we should still remain equally sceptical regarding the other, though not in itself in any degree more wonderful.

Our first subject of investigation shall be the history of the kraken, which is certainly still involved in great obscurity. In the first place, we may observe, that the belief in a certain monstrous sea animal, which appears in calm weather on the surface of the ocean like a floating island, and stretching forth enormous arms, or tentacula,—is universal among the sailors and fishermen of the Norwegian coast. A similar monster is alluded to by almost all the Scandinavian writers, from the earliest period of their history down to the present day. The epitome of these accounts is this, that during the prevalence of fine weather, in the warmest days of summer, an enormous animal has been observed in the North Sea, resembling a floating island, about a quarter of a mile in diameter, and appearing to be covered with sea weed, &c. As soon as it has reached the surface, it usually stretches up many vast arms which equal in size the masts of ships. Having rested for some time, it begins slowly to sink to the bottom, causing a great eddy in the surrounding waters.^[1]

The account given by Pontoppidan we think it necessary to quote at length as follows:

"Our fishermen unanimously affirm, and without the least variation in their accounts, that when they row out several miles to sea, particularly in the hot summer days, and by their situation (which they know by taking a view of certain points of land) expect to find 80 or 100 fathoms water, it often happens that they do not find above 20 or 30, and sometimes less. At these places they generally find the greatest plenty of fish, especially cod and ling. Their lines, they say, are no sooner out than they may draw them up with the hooks all full of fish; by this they judge that the kraken is at the bottom. They say this creature causes those unnatural shallows mentioned above, and prevents their sounding. These the fishermen are always glad to find, looking upon them as a means of their taking abundance of fish. There are sometimes twenty boats or more got together, and throwing out their lines at a moderate distance from each other; and the only thing they then have to observe is, whether the depth continues the same, which they know by their lines, or whether it grows shallower by their seeming to have less water. If this last be the case, they find that the kraken is raising himself nearer the surface, and then it is not time for them to stay any longer; they immediately leave off fishing, take to their oars, and get away as fast as they can. When they have reached the usual depth of the place, and find themselves out of danger, they lie upon their oars, and in a few minutes after they see this enormous monster come up to the surface of the water; he there shows himself sufficiently, though his whole body does not appear, which, in all likelihood, no human eye ever beheld (excepting the young

↑ Were we to quote all the authorities which might be collected to illustrate the history of the Kraken, our communication would necessarily be extended to a length quite inconsistent with the nature of a periodical publication. In addition to the writings of Pliny, Oppian, and Ælian, we may refer the curious reader to the works of Paulinus, Gesner, Olaus Magnus, Bartholinus, Wormius, Khedi, Pontoppidan, Augustus of Bergen, Bosc, Lachesnaye des Bois, and Valmont de Bomare. From some of these we shall have occasion to make a few quotations. We may observe, that Aldrovandus, in his description of monstrous sea animals, throws no light on the history of the Kraken. Neither is there any information to be obtained on the subject from the writings of Ambrosinus or Johnston. All these authors, however, describe the great Polypus or Cuttle Fish, afterwards mentioned, which we consider as nearly synonimous with the Kraken. In the early works of Linnæus it is mentioned under the name of Microcosmus. Its history is rejected as fabulous by Banks.

[1] Were we to quote all the authorities which might be collected to illustrate the history of the Kraken, our communication would necessarily be extended to a length quite inconsistent with the nature of a periodical publication. In addition to the writings of Pliny, Oppian, and Ælian, we may refer the curious reader to the works of Paulinus, Gesner, Olaus Magnus, Bartholinus, Wormius, Khedi, Pontoppidan, Augustus of Bergen, Bosc, Lachesnaye des Bois, and Valmont de Bomare. From some of these we shall have occasion to make a few quotations. We may observe, that Aldrovandus, in his description of monstrous sea animals, throws no light on the history of the Kraken. Neither is there any information to be obtained on the subject from the writings of Ambrosinus or Johnston. All these authors, however, describe the great Polypus or Cuttle Fish, afterwards mentioned, which we consider as nearly synonimous with the Kraken. In the early works of Linnæus it is mentioned under the name of Microcosmus. Its history is rejected as fabulous by Banks.

[1]