Genre:

Introduction; Extract, Letter

Publications extracted:

John Philip

Subjects:

Natural History, Exhibitions, Imposture

    In the extract, Philip describes a mermaid exhibited at Cape Town which has appeased his scepticism regarding the existence of such creatures. It is owned by Captain Eades of Boston, who is shortly to take it to London en route to America. The editor includes the account as having 'the sanction of a highly respectable name', but notes that the non-arrival of the mermaid in London has raised the suspicion of an imposture having been practised on Philip (599).