THE KRAKEN.-PONTOPpidon.

Kraken, Kraxen, Krabben, and Horven, Ancker-Trold, Olaus, Wormius, Pontoppidon.-Scandinavian Writers.

WE now proceed to make a few remarks upon the other sea monster to which we alluded in the Introduction of this volume, viz. the Kraken, which, of all other reputed animals, is perhaps the most involved in mystery and obscurity. Though regarded by Olaus, Wormius, and other early writers, as a species of Whale, there seems to be no good ground for this opinion. The statements of the Ancients concerning this animal are so exaggerated, that we will not try the patience of our readers by copying them, but as an example merely we quote that of Pliny:" In Gaditano oceana arbor est, in tantum vastis dispensa ramis, ut ex ea causa fritum nunquam intrasse credatur."* The belief in this monster is, however, universal among the sailors and fishermen of the Norwegian coast, and it has been alluded to by all the Scandinavian writers from the

* Lib. ix. cap. 4.

sea.

earliest period down to the present day. We may best, perhaps, give a general idea of this famous animal, by abridging the account supplied by the learned Pontoppidon, who remarks it is incontestably the largest sea monster in the world :"Our fishermen usually affirm," says he, "that when they row out several miles to sea, particularly in hot summer days, they are informed, by various circumstances, that the Kraken is at the bottom of the Sometimes twenty boats get together over him; and when, from well known indications, they perceive it is rising, they get away as fast as they can. When they find themselves out of danger, they lie upon their oars, and in a few minutes they see the monster come to the surface. He there shows himself sufficiently, though only a small part of his body appears. Its back, which appears to be a mile and a half in circumference, looks at first like a number of small islands, surrounded with something which floats like sea-weeds; here and there a larger rising is observed like sandy banks; at last several bright points or horns appear, which grow thicker the higher they rise, and sometimes they stand up as high, and as large, as the masts of middle-sized vessels. It seems these are the creature's arms, and it is said that if they were to lay hold of the largest man-of-war, they would pull it down to the bottom. After the monster has been a short time on the surface of the water, he begins slowly to sink again; and then the danger is as great as before, because the motion of the sinking

causes such a swell, and such an eddy and whirlpool, that he carries every thing down with it.”*

It is a favourite notion of Pontoppidon, that from the appearance of the Kraken originate those traditions of floating islands being so frequently observed in the North Sea. Thus Debes, in his Feroa Reserata, alludes to certain islands which suddenly appeared, and as suddenly vanished. Similar accounts may be found in Harpelius and Torfæus. These islands are looked upon by the common people as the habitation of evil spirits, but are more probably occasioned by the appearance of this great sea animal. "We ought not," says Pontoppidon, "to charge the evil spirit without a cause. I think the making and unmaking of these floating islands is nothing else but the Kraken, which some sea-faring people call Soe-trolden, i.e. sea mischief. What confirms me in this opinion is the following occurrence, quoted by the worthy Swedish physician, Urban Hierne, from Baron Grippenheim. Among the rocks about Stockholm there is sometimes seen a certain tract of land, which at other times disappears, and is again seen in another place. Buræus has placed this as an island in his map. The peasants say it is not always seen, and that it lies in the open sea, but I could not find it. On Sunday I saw something like three points of land in the sea, which surprised me. Upon this I went to enquire of a peasant, but on our return we could see nothing

Pontoppidon's Nat. Hist. of Norway, vol. ii. p. 211.

of it. Now, says the Bishop, who is it that cannot discover that this visible and invisible island is nothing else than the Kraken improperly placed in the map by Buræus? Probably the creature keeps himself always about that spot, and often rises about the rocks and cliffs.'"

At first view this account can scarcely be regarded in any other light than that of mere fable, and yet probably without much difficulty this extraordinary Kraken may be identified with certain species of Sepia, or Cuttle-fish, which have been described in the Annals of Science. Mr Pennant, in his description of the Eight Armed Cuttle-fish, mentions-"That in the Indian Seas this species has been found of such a size as to measure twelve feet in breadth across the central part, while each arm was fifty-four feet in length, thus making it extend from point to point about 120 feet. 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 immediately to eut off the arms of such of these 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 Dr 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 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 may very far surpass all that are generally observed

about the coasts of 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-fish seized three 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 mizzen-mast, and the suckers of the size of potlids."

But the most zealous author who treats of this animal is undoubtedly Denys Montfort. In his work on the Natural History of the Mollusca there are many instances mentioned of its occurrence in various parts of the world, the particulars of which he was so fortunate as to procure from those who were eye-witnesses of what he relates. He gives in detail the circumstances above alluded to by Dr Shaw from the account as supplied by Dens himself; and, among other instances, he mentions that at St Malo, in the chapel of St Thomas, there is an ex voto, or picture deposited there by the crew of a vessel, in remembrance of their wonderful preservation during

* Shaw's Lectures, vol. ii. p. 137.