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frequently denominated polypi by the ancients, on account of their multiplicity of limbs; and from Pliny's account of the acetabula, or suckers with which the arms of the great polypus were furnished, it is evident that it must have been nearly allied to a tribe of animals at present distinguished by the former name. It did not belong to the class of animals now known under the name of polypi, whose wonderful history has been so beautifully illustrated by the successive labours of Leeuwenhoeck, Marsigli, Peysonel, Trembly of Geneva, and our own distinguished countryman, Mr Ellis.
We shall not here detain ourselves by quoting various passages on this subject, which we have selected from the works of Athanasius Kircher, and Athenæus, these writers being not familiar to most readers, and their authority by some considered as doubtful. Suffice it to say, that they describe a large animal found in the Sicilian seas, provided with ten rays or branches, the body of which is equal in bigness to that of a whale.[1] We shall now appeal to less questionable authority.
Pennant, in his description of the eight-armed cuttle-fish, mentions, that he has been well assured by persons of undoubted credit, that in the Indian seas this species has been found of such a size as to measure two fathoms in breadth across the central part, while each arm was nine fathoms in length. He further states, that the natives of the Indian isles, when sailing in their canoes, always take care to be provided with hatchets, in order to cut off immediately the arms of such of those animals as happen to fling them over the sides of the canoe, lest they should pull it under water, and sink it.
The opinion of Shaw is equally decided regarding the occurrence of this animal.
"The existence of some enormously large species of the cuttle-fish tribe in the Indian and Northern seas can hardly be doubted; and though some accounts may have been much exaggerated, yet there is sufficient cause for believing that such species very far surpass all that are generally observed about the coasts of the European seas. A modern naturalist chooses to distinguish this tremendous species by the title of the colossal cuttle-fish, and seems amply disposed to believe all that has been related of its ravages. A northern navigator, of the name of Dens, is said, some years ago, to have lost three of his men in the African seas, by a monster of this kind, which unexpectedly made its appearance while these men were employed, during a calm, in raking the sides of the vessel. The colossal cuttle-fish seized these men in its arms, and drew them under water, in spite of every effort to preserve them; the thickness of one of the arms, which was cut off in the contest, was that of a mizen-mast, and the acetabula or suckers of the size of pot-lids." Shaw's Lectures, vol. ii. p. 137.
The preceding account of this ferocious animal greatly resembles that given by Pliny, and is also consonant with the character of the Norwegian monster.
"The krakens have never been known to do any great harm, except they have taken away the lives of those who, consequently, could not bring the tidings. I have never heard but one instance mentioned, which happened a few years ago near Frederickstad, in the diocese of Aggerhuus. They say that two fishermen, accidentally, and to their great surprise, fell into such a spot on the water as has been before described, full of thick slime, almost like a morass. They immediately strove to get out of this place, but they had not time to turn quick enough to save themselves from one of the kraken's horns, which crushed the head of the boat so, that it was with great difficulty they saved their lives on the wreck, though the weather was as calm as possible; for these monsters, like the sea-snake, never appear at other times." Nat. Hist. of Norway, vol. ii. p. 213.
According to Olaus Magnus, there is authentic evidence of the existence of this monstrous polypus contained in a long and instructive letter, written by Eric Falkendorff, bishop of Nidros, to Pope Leo X. in the year 1520.[2]
But of all the authors who have written on the colossal cuttle-fish, the most zealous is undoubtedly Denys Montfort. In his work there are many instances mentioned of its occurrence in various parts of the world, the accounts of which he was fortunate enough to procure from those who were eye-witnesses to what he relates. He mentions, particularly, the circumstance alluded to by Dr Shaw, of Capt. Magnus Dens having lost three of his men by an attack from this monstrous