Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

A C *

Subjects:

Comparative Philology, Zoology, Evolution, Human Species

    Replies to people who do not believe 'in any history whatsoever, sacred or profane', or even natural history. Challenges the notion that mermaids do not exist. States that 'respectable persons' told a scientific audience at the British Association for the Advancement of Science that they had seen mermaids in Scotland, but the claim went unchallenged. Announces that the mermaid as 'one of the connecting links' between man and the marine ascidian and then describes the mermaid's anatomy. Pointing out that the mermaid is endowed with lungs and gills, claims that she is 'truly amphibious' and capable of enjoying life on the bottom of the sea and seashore. Notes that the mermaid occasionally shows more of her bust than women of the 'superior classes' who wear 'low' dresses. Notes the mermaid's 'titivating' habit of combing her long hair whilst singing in an unknown tongue.