File:Sea fables explained (15401954700).jpg

THE MERMAID.
17
of the circumstance recorded by Albrecht Herport * in his
account of India, that a merman was seen in the water
near the church of Taquan on the morning of the 29th of
April, 1 66 1, and a mermaid at the same spot the same
afternoon ? Or what do they say to the fact that in 17 14
a mermaid was not only seen but captured near the island
of Booro, five feet, Rhineland measure, in height ; which
lived four days and seven hours, but, refusing all food,
died without leaving any intelligible account of herself?"
FIG. 12. — MERMAID AND FISHES OF AMBOYN'A. After Valciltyit.
Valentyn, in support of his own faith in the mermaid, cites
many other instances in which both " sea-men and sea-
women " were seen and taken at Amboyna ; especially one
by a district visitor of the church, who presented it to the
Governor Vanderstel. Of this "well-authenticated" specimen
he gives an elaborate portrait amongst the fishes of the island.f

• Itinerarium Indicum, Berne, 1669.
  

t With the permission and assistance of Messrs. Longman, the
accompanying wood-cut of this picture, and that of the Dugong, on page
43, are copied from Sir J. Emerson Tennent's book pubhshed in 1S61.