Cryptozoology Review - Vol 3 No 3 - 1999

Magazine Overview

Title: The Cryptozoology Review
Issue: Vol. 3, No. 3
Date: Winter-Spring 1999
Publisher: Ben S. Roesch

This issue of The Cryptozoology Review presents a diverse range of articles and reports on cryptozoological subjects. The editorial apologizes for the lateness of the issue, attributing it to the editors' busy schedules as students and researchers, and emphasizes their commitment to producing a high-quality publication. The editorial also notes a new, more professional magazine-like layout with reduced margins and columns, and an expanded review section. Readers are encouraged to submit comments, letters, articles, book reviews, and personal reports.

Contents

The issue features an editorial, letters, and several articles:

• Editorial (Page 2)
• Letters (Page 3)
• A Compendium of Cryptids by Ben S. Roesch (Page 5)
• Monkeying Around the World
• A Review of Alleged Sea Serpent Carasses Worldwide (Part Four 1907-1924) by Ben S. Roesch (Page 15)
• Some Chinese Cryptids by Richard Muirhead (Page 23)
• Probable sighting of a Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) in South-Western England by Darren Naish (Page 26)
• Reviews (Page 28)
• End Page (Page 32)

Editorial

Ben S. Roesch, the editor and publisher, welcomes readers to the latest issue. He explains the delay in publication by citing the demands on the editors' time and their dedication to quality. The new layout, featuring reduced margins and columns, aims for a more professional, magazine-like feel. An expanded review section is introduced, highlighting the importance of books for cryptozoologists and offering guidance on purchasing decisions. Roesch also reiterates the invitation for reader contributions, including letters, articles, book reviews, and personal accounts of cryptozoological interest.

About The Cryptozoology Review

The magazine is published three times a year by Ben S. Roesch. Subscription rates are provided for Canada, the US, and other countries, with options for payment methods. The publication is non-profit, and contributors receive copies of the magazine as payment. All content is copyrighted, and reproduction requires permission.

Letters

This section includes two main contributions:

Big Bird Sighting

A woman from Arkansas, wishing to remain anonymous, reports seeing a large bird soaring in the sky. She describes it as having separated wingtips and flying unusually high, disappearing behind a cumulus cloud. She compares its size to that of airplanes and notes that it was significantly larger than any vultures, eagles, or ospreys she has seen.

Frogman or a Deer? A Lesson About Cryptozoological Eyewitness Reports

Nick Sucik recounts an experience while driving at night. He initially perceived a thin, two-legged figure with glowing red and green eyes. His mind cycled through possibilities like Bigfoot and the Loveland Frog. However, as he got closer, the creature transformed into a deer, which then retreated into a marsh. Sucik concludes that misinterpretations of eyewitness reports can occur and emphasizes the importance of careful investigation.

Errata

Corrections are noted for Volume 3, No. 2:

• The scientific name for the polar bear was incorrectly given as *Thalarctos maritimus*; it should be *Ursus maritimus*.
• The specific name for the long-finned pilot whale was given as *Globicephala melaena*; the correct name is *melas*.
• Bahamonde's beaked whale was misspelled as Bahamond's in Darren Naish's article.

Exchange

This section lists other publications, including Strange Magazine and Exotic Zoology, with subscription information.

A Compendium of Cryptids

Monkeying Around the World

Ben S. Roesch discusses the controversy surrounding the existence of unknown primates. In China, officials in December 1998 concluded that the yeren (wildman) does not exist, citing nearly 20 years of investigation that found reported sightings to be other wild animals. Despite this, a reward for the capture of the yeren remains. The article also touches on the yeti, with Liu Wulin suggesting it is a subspecies of brown bear, based on his surveys in Tibet. Liu's research indicates that alleged yeti footprints and skins are consistent with those of brown bears. He also describes a purported bear ritual in Amdo. The article then addresses the sasquatch, referencing the Patterson film and recent claims that it is a hoax, based on the deposition of Clyde Reinke. It also discusses the debate over a possible zipper in the film, with researchers Murphy and Crook offering differing interpretations.

A Review of Alleged Sea Serpent Carasses Worldwide (Part Four 1907-1924)

This section, starting on page 15, is not detailed in the provided OCR text but is listed in the table of contents.

Some Chinese Cryptids

This section, starting on page 23, is not detailed in the provided OCR text but is listed in the table of contents.

Probable sighting of a Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) in South-Western England

This section, starting on page 26, is not detailed in the provided OCR text but is listed in the table of contents.

Reviews

This section, starting on page 28, is not detailed in the provided OCR text but is listed in the table of contents.

Giant Sturgeon in Lake Superior?

An anonymous report from Michigan describes an encounter with an enormous fish in Lake Superior in July 1998. The witness, referred to as "Bob," described a fish over 20 feet long and quite wide, with a grey, smooth body and a "v"-shaped tail with a long upper lobe. The article suggests this could be an unusually large lake sturgeon (*Acipenser fulvescens*), though its size exceeds the accepted maximum for the species. The possibility of it being a white sturgeon (*Acipenser transmontanus*) is also mentioned, though this species is restricted to western North America.

Pumas Across North America

The article discusses the increasing evidence for the existence of pumas (*Felis concolor*) in the northeastern United States. Reports and confirmed physical evidence, including tracks and DNA analysis from Vermont in 1994-1995, are cited. Despite this, wildlife officials have been hesitant to acknowledge their presence. The article also mentions recent sightings in Maine and New Hampshire. It then details an incident in Wisconsin where two teenagers reported a "weird animal" with a deep roar, which the author suggests could be a puma. The article also notes that pumas were officially declared extinct in the northeastern US by the late 1800s.

Cats and Dogs

This section highlights instances where sightings of large cats were mistaken identifications. In Ireland, a large St. Bernard dog was mistaken for a puma-like beast. In Oregon, a domestic house cat was identified as a cougar by police. The article emphasizes that such misidentifications are common.

News About Nessie

Two recent sightings of the Loch Ness Monster are reported. An American tourist claimed to see Nessie out of the water, describing it as 10-15 meters long with a very long neck. Robert Badger, a former Nessie researcher, reported an in-water encounter in 1998, describing a creature about 20 feet in diameter. The article also mentions a 1793 coin found in Scotland that appears to depict Loch Ness and Nessie, though Gary Campbell disputes the interpretation of the image. Finally, it notes the installation of four internet-connected video cameras at Loch Ness to aid in monitoring.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Cryptozoology Review maintains a focus on cryptozoological investigations, eyewitness accounts, and the scientific and skeptical analysis of alleged phenomena. Recurring themes include the debate over the existence of mystery primates like Bigfoot and the Yeti, the investigation of aquatic cryptids such as sea serpents and lake monsters, and the reporting of unusual animal sightings. The magazine adopts a stance that encourages the reporting of such phenomena while also critically examining the evidence, as seen in the discussion of misidentification and the challenges of verifying reports. The editorial emphasizes a commitment to quality and a professional presentation of information, inviting reader participation and discussion.

The Cryptozoology Review, Volume 3, Number 3, Winter-Spring 1999, is a magazine dedicated to the study of unknown or unverified animals. This issue covers a range of topics from statistical methods in biology to reports of new species and alleged sea monster carcasses.

Statistics and Sea Monsters

This section discusses Dr. Charles Paxton's statistical method for estimating the number of undiscovered large marine animals. Using a method similar to estimating chocolate types from a sample, Paxton analyzed historical species discovery data from 1758 to 1995. He concluded that approximately 47 species of large marine animals (over 2 meters in length) remain to be discovered. While acknowledging potential errors in his sampling rate assumption, he confidently suggests that new whales and "totally weird sharks" are among the undiscovered creatures, though entirely new animal orders are unlikely. The article also notes Paxton's ongoing project applying similar statistical methods to freshwater environments.

Notes on Various New and Rediscovered Species

This section details several recent biological discoveries:

• Two new species of rail were found on Kartakelong Island in the Talaud Archipelago, Indonesia: *Gymnocrex talaudensis* (Talaud Rail) and *Amaurornis magnirostris* (Talaud Bush-Hen). These are the first new extant rail species described since 1991.
• A new antwren species, *Herpsilochmus gentryi* (Ancient Antwren), was described by Bret M. Whitney and José Alvarez Alonso. It is found in northern Peru and southern Ecuador and is hypothesized to be a sister species to *H. stictocephalus*. Its habitat is threatened by urban growth.
• Robert B. Payne discovered a new species of firefinch, *Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis* (Rock Firefinch), on the Jos Plateau in Nigeria. Its discovery was linked to the unusual call of the Jos Plateau Indigobird (*Vidua maryae*), a brood parasite.
• James Lazell described a new species of salamander, *Plethodon ainsworthi*, from Mississippi. The only two known specimens were collected in 1964 and have not been seen since, raising concerns about its potential extinction due to deforestation.
• Researchers have officially announced that the Indonesian coelacanths (*Latimeria menadoensis*) are a distinct new species, separate from the one discovered off the Comoros (*Latimeria chalumnae*). This new population is expected to be larger and more genetically diverse.
• A new species of chimaera, *Chimaera panthera*, was discovered in waters off New Zealand. Identified by Dominique Didier Dagit, this discovery is hoped to lead to increased protection for these poorly known cartilaginous fishes.
• A new beetle species has been named *atwoodi* in honor of Carl Atwood, father of Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood, as part of a Canadian Museum of Nature fund to finance new species searches.

Other Cryptozoology News

This section presents a collection of recent unusual reports:

• Australian boat incident: Doug Harvey and Chris Johnson reported their boat being towed at high speed by an unseen object, described as being like "a cork." The object eventually submerged, snapping the anchor cleat. This was speculated to be a large shark.
• Florida boat incident: Rafael Figueroa and Gilbert Luna reported their boat being pulled out to sea for two hours. The cause was a 400 kg manta ray tangled in their anchor line. The manta was released unharmed.
• Scottish baboon sighting: A motorist near Prestwick Airport reported narrowly missing a baboon-like creature. Police also observed it before it disappeared into the bush. Investigations ruled out local zoos and missing livestock, leaving the origin of the creature unknown.
• North African brown bear (*Ursus crowtheri*): New carbon dating of bear bones in Algeria confirms the existence of brown bears in North Africa into historical times (around 420-600 A.D.), challenging previous assumptions of extinction during the Neolithic period.
• Giant squid expedition: An expedition off New Zealand's coast to film a giant squid was unsuccessful in encountering one, but gathered information on deep-sea fauna. A documentary is planned.

A Review of Alleged Sea Serpent Carcasses Worldwide (Part Four -- 1907-1924)

This is the fourth part of a series examining historical sea serpent carcass reports.

• The Balmedic's Whale Skull (June, 1908): Trawlers brought up a skull of an unknown monster off Scotland. Charles Fort noted its unusual features, including eye sockets a foot across and a leathery tongue. However, the author, Ben S. Roesch, concludes that available evidence, including analysis by Heuvelmans, identifies it as a whale skull, likely a balaenopterid.
• Sea Serpent in the Copelands? (September 5, 1908): A large, eel-like creature, approximately 30 feet long and 6 feet round, washed ashore on the Copeland Islands, Ireland. It was killed by locals. The description, including its tapering shape and fan-like tail, strongly suggests it was an oarfish (*Regalecus glesne*), despite some minor discrepancies in the description of its fins and scales.
• A "Huge Sea Monster" off Florida (January, 1921): A large carcass, with a skull fragment measuring fifteen feet long and seven feet wide, was found off Soldiers' Key, Florida. The author identifies it as a balaenopterid whale, such as a fin whale or blue whale, noting that rotting carcasses of these large marine mammals can be mistaken for sea monsters.
• The Jehu Sands "Sea Serpent" (April, 1921): A 25-foot-long creature washed ashore alive at Jehu Sands, India, and reportedly emitted cries. The description includes large teeth and a black body. The author identifies it as a short-finned pilot whale (*Globicephala macrorhynchus*), noting that while the reported length is slightly greater than the known maximum, other characteristics align well with this identification.
• A Carcass from Cape May (November, 1921): A large mammal carcass, estimated at over 15 tons, washed ashore at Cape May, New Jersey. Newspaper reports described it as a "sea-elephant" of huge proportions. Charles Fort and Heuvelmans concluded it was a mysticete whale, with the "tusks" likely being parts of the jaw bone.
• The Margate Monster (November 2, 1922): A white, furry beast, 47 feet long, washed ashore at Margate Beach, South Africa. It was described as having a trunk-like appendage and fur like a polar bear. Despite its unusual appearance, researchers have had difficulty explaining it, with the description of a large polar bear on a tropical beach being particularly challenging to accommodate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of scientific discovery and the unexplained. It highlights new species findings with a focus on taxonomy and biological classification, while also critically examining historical accounts of cryptids and sea monsters. The editorial stance appears to favor rational, scientific explanations for reported phenomena, often identifying alleged monsters as known species, particularly whales, based on available evidence and expert analysis. However, it maintains an open-minded approach to the possibility of undiscovered species and the ongoing mysteries of the natural world.

This issue of The Cryptozoology Review, Vol. 3 No. 3, published Winter-Spring 1999, features a diverse range of articles on cryptids and unexplained phenomena. The cover story, "Some Chinese Cryptids (Part One)" by Richard Muirhead, explores various mythical creatures from Chinese lore. Other articles discuss the Margate carcass, a sea serpent sighting, and a probable sighting of a Silver Pheasant in England. The issue also includes several book reviews.

The Margate Carcass and Other Sea Mysteries

The issue opens with an examination of the Margate carcass, which washed ashore in Natal, South Africa, in 1922. The creature was described as having a luxuriant white pelt, which mystified observers. While some attributed the hair-like fibers to decomposition, the short time since death made this explanation unlikely. Karl Shuker suggested the 'fur' of decomposing carcasses was inapplicable. Charles Fort and Bernard Heuvelmans had little to say, with Fort dismissing it as a "worthless yarn." The author agrees with Fort, finding the creature's description zoologically implausible and suggesting it might have been a newspaper hoax or inspired by a real decomposed shark or whale carcass, similar to 'globsters' reported elsewhere. Another theory posits that the observed fight was a feeding frenzy by marine animals on a carcass, or even whales playing with a carcass. Ultimately, the author concludes that the Margate carcass does not represent a new species.

Another sea mystery discussed is a sea serpent reported to have washed ashore in the Tuamotus, South Pacific, before 1924. Ernest Davies reported a creature measuring 53 ft (16 m) in length with a 12 ft (3.6 m) girth. Bernard Heuvelmans could not find further information and suggested it was likely a known whale or shark carcass.

A "Summary Listing" provides brief details of other alleged sea serpent carcasses and sightings from 1908 to 1924, including a whale's skull off Scotland, an oarfish in Ireland, various whale carcasses, and a 16m specimen in the Tuamotus.

Some Chinese Cryptids (Part One)

Richard Muirhead's article delves into Chinese cryptozoology, highlighting creatures beyond the well-known 'yeren' (Chinese wildman). He introduces the 'Ling,' a bovid identified as Pseudonovibos spiralis, discovered in Vietnam and Cambodia. The article also discusses creatures from 'The Dragon Book,' such as the Ch'uan-T'ou people (human-headed with bat-like wings), Hsing-Hsing (monkey-like creatures), the Hua Fish (flying-snake fish), and the sky horse (a winged, flying dog-like creature).

The Vermilion Bird, a record of life in South-West China and North-East Vietnam during the T'ang dynasty, is mentioned for its accounts of flying snakes and poisonous birds. The poisonous nature of certain birds, like the hooded pitohui, is confirmed. The article also touches upon a giant crab called the 'chiu-mou' from the South China Sea and a giant 'centipede' washed ashore near Canton in 745 A.D. Other creatures mentioned include black elephants with pink tusks and giant turtles from T'ang dynasty poems.

Probable Sighting of a Silver Pheasant in South-Western England

Darren Naish reports a sighting of an unusual bird on October 27, 1998, during a train journey from Southampton to Exeter. The bird was described as similar to a Common Pheasant but entirely white, except for a black crown. Naish identifies it as a probable Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera), a species native to southern China and Southeast Asia. He notes that Silver Pheasants have been imported to Europe since the 18th century and were introduced to England as early as 1740, with some becoming naturalized. The sighting suggests that feral individuals of this species might be present in southwestern England.

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed by Ben S. Roesch:

• The Search for the Giant Squid by Richard Ellis: This book is praised for its comprehensive coverage of the giant squid, Architeuthis spp., exploring its taxonomy, biology, and historical significance. While acknowledging Ellis's theory that many sea serpent sightings may be giant squid, Roesch expresses skepticism about certain interpretations, such as the Valhalla sea serpent.
• Dinosaurs of Australia and New Zealand, and other Animals of the Mesozoic Era by John A. Long: This book is described as an excellent and useful reference for the ancient vertebrates of Australia and New Zealand, covering not only dinosaurs but also amphibians, reptiles, pterosaurs, birds, and mammals of the Mesozoic era.
• North America's Great Ape: the Sasquatch by John Bindernagel: Reviewed as a reasonable, sane, and intelligent examination of the sasquatch from a biological perspective, focusing on its habits and behavior rather than debating its existence. The book is noted for comparing the sasquatch to great apes.
• Herpetology edited by F. Harvey Pough et al.: This comprehensive and informative book is highly recommended as a textbook and reference on reptiles and amphibians, covering their anatomy, physiology, evolution, ecology, and behavior.
• The Simon & Schuster Encyclopedia of Animals by Philip Whitfield: This large encyclopedia is seen as an admirable effort to catalogue vertebrate species, providing concise yet informative accounts of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the investigation of unexplained animal sightings and carcasses, the examination of historical accounts of mythical creatures, and the review of recent literature in cryptozoology and related fields. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting various theories and evidence while maintaining a degree of skepticism, particularly regarding claims of new species or extraordinary phenomena. The emphasis is on rigorous research, historical context, and zoological plausibility, even when discussing the more speculative aspects of cryptozoology.

The Cryptozoology Review, Volume 3, Number 3, published in Winter-Spring 1999, is a magazine focused on cryptozoology. This issue is well-written and accessible, with a focus on detailed illustrations and beautiful layout.

Book Review: In Deeper Waters: Photographic Studies of Hawaiian Deep-Sea Habitats and Life-Forms

This issue features an extensive review by Ben S. Roesch of the book "In Deeper Waters: Photographic Studies of Hawaiian Deep-Sea Habitats and Life-Forms" by E.H. Chave and Alexander Malahoff, published by the University of Hawai'i Press in 1998. The book is described as a magnificent reference, with a beautiful layout and excellent, detailed color paintings that add greatly to its design. The reviewer highlights the book's presentation of the "magnificent diversity of vertebrate life" and its achievement of a "beautifully illustrated, informative and excellent reference" status.

The book is a result of ongoing projects by the Hawai'i Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) at the University of Hawai'i, which has been exploring deep waters off the Hawaiian Islands using deep-water submersibles since 1965. "In Deeper Waters" presents a well-illustrated survey of the geology and organisms of this area.

Roesch praises the book's attractive layout and numerous photographs of geological features and spectacular deep-sea animals. He specifically mentions a favorite photo of a 3-meter long octopus (Cirroteuthis sp.) hovering over a rocky bottom at 1300 meters, and his personal interest in ichthyology leads him to appreciate shots of rare deep-sea fishes and sharks, such as a tan goosefish (Sladenia remiger) perched on a rock. The book also features a host of bizarre invertebrates, including slug-like holothurians (sea cucumbers) and glass rope sponges.

Each photo caption includes the common and scientific names of the animal, substrate, and depth. While the reviewer notes that the photos are sometimes small and their resolution could be better, he emphasizes that they are still spectacular, acknowledging the difficulty of deep-sea photography.

The illustrations are complemented by an informative and readable text that discusses most of the photos, includes anecdotes about their acquisition, and provides interesting background information. The chapters on deep-sea ecology and deep-sea animals, which form the bulk of the book, are particularly interesting, with the latter organized taxonomically from sponges to fishes. Roesch expresses a desire for more textual detail but concludes that the book succeeds as a popular work. For those seeking more information, "In Deeper Waters" includes a bibliography and references within the text.

The book concludes with a useful 33-page table listing all animals recorded by HURL submersibles, providing details on locality, depth, substrate, and references for each.

Roesch summarizes "In Deeper Waters" as an "interesting, beautiful and well-illustrated look at deep-sea animals and geology, rarely seen by human eyes."

Periodicals: Crypto

The issue also introduces "Crypto," a new publication edited by Craig Heinselman, located at 135 Elm St., Apt 81, Milford, NH 03055 USA. It is a free, quarterly publication that contains cryptozoology news, short articles, reviews, and discussions of fiction with cryptozoological content. Each issue is printed on a color printer, allowing for the inclusion of nice color illustrations. The reviewer notes that it is printed out on a color printer, which enables the editor to include some nice color illustrations.

Contributors for this Issue

The issue profiles its contributors:

• Richard Muirhead: An MA student at Oxford Brookes University, interested in folklore, natural history, and writing children's stories. He plans to search for the rumored sabre-toothed tiger in Chad in 2000. His contact information is provided.
• Darren Naish: A zoologist at the University of Portsmouth, UK, studying predatory dinosaurs from the Early Cretaceous. His special interests include the cryptozoology of whales and the natural history and evolution of Mesozoic and Cenozoic tetrapods.
• Ben S. Roesch: A grade 13 student in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His interests extend beyond cryptozoology to marine biology (especially sharks), animal predatory behavior, and general zoology. He also enjoys punk rock, mountain biking, and surfing.

How to Contact Us

Correspondence, manuscripts, and other materials should be directed to the editor, Ben S. Roesch, at his Toronto address. His phone number and email address are also provided.

Coming Soon in TCR

Future installments of The Cryptozoology Review (TCR) are announced, including:

• Further installments of a review of alleged sea serpent carcasses by Ben S. Roesch.
• More on Chinese cryptids by Richard Muirhead.
• Further installments of a series on the cryptozoology of the moa by Darren Naish.
• Great news coverage and more.

The next issue is scheduled for release in July/August 1999.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Cryptozoology Review demonstrates a commitment to in-depth reviews of relevant literature, such as the detailed examination of "In Deeper Waters." It also actively promotes new voices and publications within the cryptozoology field, as seen with the introduction of "Crypto." The magazine appears to cover a broad range of cryptozoological topics, from alleged sea serpent carcasses and Chinese cryptids to the cryptozoology of extinct or rare animals like the moa and sabre-toothed tiger. The editorial stance seems to be one of thoroughness, accessibility, and engagement with both scientific and popular aspects of cryptozoology, as evidenced by the detailed contributor profiles and the inclusion of contact information for readers and potential contributors.