Extinct monsters : a popular account of some of the larger forms of ancient animal life

Abstract

The last Australian mail brings news of the actual discovery of a sea serpent. The Pacific Islands trading steamer Emu has arrived in Sydney with a portion of the marine monster on board. The statement of the supercargo, Mr A. H. Bell, is as follows: " When we called at Suwarrow Island, on our way back to Sydney, the natives told us that a big devil-fish had been washed ashore. We proceeded along the beach towards the spot indicated, and onr nostrils were soon assailed by a horrible stench. After perils by sea and worse perils by the poisoned air, we got close to the gigantic animal. We secured as much of it as we could, and we have now on board the first sea serpent ever brought to Australia or anywhere else." The captain corroborated this statement, and added that the hide or skin of the monster was of a browmsu colour, and covered with hair. The head resembled that of a horse. He estimated the length at 60ft., and the probable weight at seventy tons. A detailed examination showed that the ortion of the sea serpent brought by the Emu were : skuJ, measuring 3tt. from the neck to the point of the nose, some ribs 2ft. in length, and the spine 4ia. in diameter. There was evidence of two tusks at the tremity of the lower jaw, and the natives said the monster had flappers like a seal when it waa originally washed ashore. In reply to the questions as to why he did not bring more of the animal with him, the captain said : " To stay longer collecting the remains would have nauseated the collectors beyond recovery."