I recently brought a copy of Charles Owens’s 1742 book An Essay Towards A Natural History Of Serpents: In Two Parts. The book makes fascinating reading as it was written at a time when science and learning were replacing legend and folklore. The book is full of oddities of cryptozoological interest. This is my fourth collection of bits and bobs that I have found within its pages. STRANGE SNAKES AND FREAKY FAUNA FROM CHARLES OWENS' AN ESSAY TOWARDS A NATURAL HISTORY OF SERPENTS (1741)
PART 4 SEA SERPENTS.
"In Norway we read of two serpents of very large proportion: One of two hundred foot long that lives in rocks and desolate mountains near the sea about Bergen: which in summer-nights ranges about in quest of plunder, devouring lambs, calves, swine and other animals that fall in its way. In a calm seas it ransacks the superfices of the water and devours ploypus (ie a little fish with many feet) and all sorts of sea crabs.Upon the apporoach of a ship this serpent lifts its head above the water and snatches at the mariners. My author adds that it rolls itself around the ship to more effectualy secure its prey. The representation of this you have seen in C.Gesner.
The other serpent is in the diocess of Hammer, about fifty cubits long by conjecture. In Bothnia, on the Livonian Sea, we read of monsterous serpents, with which the shepards of that country are at constant war.
The marine dragon, as Plinny calls it, or the true marine serpent, in the dialect of Jonstonus, who, in his description of fishes, gives a particular account of it. We have already accounted for monstouroys serpents in the Indies, were some have teeth in the form of a saw, with which they do more hurt than their poison, says the Greek historian.
PART 4 SEA SERPENTS.
"In Norway we read of two serpents of very large proportion: One of two hundred foot long that lives in rocks and desolate mountains near the sea about Bergen: which in summer-nights ranges about in quest of plunder, devouring lambs, calves, swine and other animals that fall in its way. In a calm seas it ransacks the superfices of the water and devours ploypus (ie a little fish with many feet) and all sorts of sea crabs.Upon the apporoach of a ship this serpent lifts its head above the water and snatches at the mariners. My author adds that it rolls itself around the ship to more effectualy secure its prey. The representation of this you have seen in C.Gesner.
The other serpent is in the diocess of Hammer, about fifty cubits long by conjecture. In Bothnia, on the Livonian Sea, we read of monsterous serpents, with which the shepards of that country are at constant war.
The marine dragon, as Plinny calls it, or the true marine serpent, in the dialect of Jonstonus, who, in his description of fishes, gives a particular account of it. We have already accounted for monstouroys serpents in the Indies, were some have teeth in the form of a saw, with which they do more hurt than their poison, says the Greek historian.
In Africa there are some large enough to contend with oxen by land and to overturn a three0oar'd galley by water; which agrees in character with those of Norway already described: There we found some of 200 foot long, winding themselves about ships, according to Olaus Magnus, Archbishop of Upsal.
In several Persian islands are some of twenty cubits long and very terrfying to sailors. Such also are seen in the promentory of Carmania, the residence of the Ichthyophagi, a people who feed wholey upon fish. A fine country for such who are inclin'd to keep perpetual lent. Tho' these monsters are born in the deep, yet they are found in fresh water, and sometimes sporting upon the land, were they sleep.
The same author tells us of a terrible battle that heppen'd in Turky, in the time of Bajazet, between land and marine serpents, that continued from morning till night, when after great destruction on both sides the marines fled."
"ALEXANDER, in his tour thro' the Red Sea, says he saw serpents of incredible magnatude, some about 30 cubits long."
No comments:
Post a Comment