THE EVIDENCE SIFTED

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 24

THE EVIDENCE SIFTED

Lieutenant-Commander E. T. Gould, as readers of "Oddities" and "The Case For tho Sea-serpent" will recall, has a talont for investigating strange phenomena by land and sea. It was no surprise, therefore, when the Loch Ness mobster began to be taken seriously last'ypar that he sped northwards on a special mission of investigation. He personally interviewed practically all those persons who had seen the creature, but during his two complete circuits of the Loch shores ho was not lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it himself-. Tho evidence that he collected from some fifty eye-witnesses, however, convinced him that "the monster is a large living creature of anomalous type, agreeing closely and in detail with the majority of the reports collected in 'The. Case For the Seaserpent.' " The London "Times" printed several articles by Commander Gould detailing his investigations and conclusions about tho monster, but "Tho Loch Ness Monster and Others," just published by Geoffrey Bles,. gives the whole story, completo with the evidence, printed in full, and subjected to critical examination. Included are several actual photographs of the monster and. numerous drawings made by eye-witnesses. A very strong case is presented for the conclusion that the Loch Ness monster is some sort of sea-serpent, but one- inhabiting fresh water. The author disposes of the various theories which have been advanced by those who are opposed to tho "monster" theory, holding that it is an eel, a seal, or somo other well-known creature, and he strengthened his contentions with a chapter on similar phenomem reported in recent years. The book is calculated to convert the most sceptical of readers. The monster, the author suggests, should be protected like Pelorus Jack was, for, if shot, the body would probably sink to the bottom and be lost to science. Ho suggests that the only way to obtain satisfactory "close-up" photographs would be from a small dirigible balloon with tho noise of a low-powered engine eliminated as far as possible. The noise and speed of aeroplanes, he holds, rules them out as worse than useless. "Scotland, in tho past, has never been backward in promoting the advance of knowledge, and I cannot believe that the countrymen of Napier,.and of Kelvin, will always be content to leave the Loch Ness monster without legal protection, or allow its nature and affinities to remain for ever undetermined."