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Kraken attacking a fishing boat off the coast of Angola
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Kraken attacking a fishing boat off the coast of Angola
Kraken or giant cuttlefish attacking a fishing boat off the coast of Angola. After a description by Pierre Denys de Montfort in his Natural History of the Mollusca. Probably a giant squid, Architeuthis species. Steel engraving by W.H. Lizars after an illustration by James Stewart from Robert Hamiltons Amphibious Carnivora, part of Sir William Jardines Naturalists Library: Mammalia, Edinburgh, 1839
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Media ID 23183976
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Angola Architeuthis Beast Creature Cuttlefish Denys Giant Gigantic Lizars Mollusca Monster Montfort Mythological Octopus Pierre Sepia Species Squid Kraken
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In the vast and mysterious depths of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Angola, a terrifying encounter between man and nature unfolds. This engraving, created by W.H. Lizars after an illustration by James Stewart, depicts a scene described by the French naturalist Pierre Denys de Montfort in his Natural History of the Mollusca. The image captures the moment a legendary sea monster, believed to be a giant squid or kraken, attacks a small fishing boat. According to Denys de Montfort, who wrote in the late 17th century, the kraken was a monstrous creature, resembling an octopus with arms reaching up to 100 feet in length. It was said to dwell in the deepest parts of the sea, and would lure unsuspecting sailors with the scent of dead fish before violently surfacing to attack their vessels. This engraving, part of Sir William Jardine's Naturalist's Library: Mammalia, published in Edinburgh in 1839, is a testament to the enduring fascination with these mythical creatures. While modern science has debunked the existence of the kraken as a distinct species, the legend continues to captivate the imagination. The image of the giant squid, or Architeuthis species, attacking the fishing boat serves as a reminder of the power and mystery of the deep sea. The intricate details of the engraving, from the rippling waves to the expressions of fear on the faces of the sailors, bring the scene to life and transport us to another world. The kraken, with its tentacles wrapped around the boat, is a force of nature, a reminder of the awe-inspiring power and beauty of the ocean. This image is a reminder of the importance of exploration and discovery, and the role that natural history plays in understanding the world around us. It also serves as a reminder of the enduring power of myth and legend, and the way that stories can shape our understanding of the natural world.
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