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R.I.P. Professor Ichbonnsen
October 31, 2007
From Brazil: The Amazon Dragon
by sven at 8:00 am
These are the Professor's words -- but they were posted by Scarlet?
We are all familiar with the image of dragons as giant fire-breathing lizards with wings. The Amazon Dragon, however, is closer to the Medieval image of dragons as wyrms. That is to say, this creature is actually a monumental worm.
The "Dragon" was discovered by a Portuguese soldier circa 1600, deep in the Amazon jungle. From what I've been able to piece together, the animal was approximately 100 yards long. Its body is banded with alternating purple and black rings. It has rows of gray snake-like legs on either side -- rather like a millipede. Its face has been likened to that of a fish.
The creature seems to be amphibious. According to the soldier, it rises out of a river and breathes air -- then dives back beneath the surface.
I am in possession of a map -- drawn by the soldier himself -- that purportedly leads to the Amazon Dragon's lair. Comparing it with recent geological surveys, I think there is good reason to believe that there will be underwater caves in this area... Which would help explain how the great beast has remained hidden for so long.
Over the past four centuries there have been several further sightings of the Dragon. Each time, the size is reported as being significantly smaller than it was previously. The last sighting, in 1910, put the creature at a length of only 30 yards.
Is it shrinking?
posted by sven | October 31, 2007 8:00 AM | categories: bestiary