Flying Snake - No 06

Magazine Overview

Title: Flying Snake
Issue: Volume 2, Issue 6
Date: November 2013
Price: £3.99

This issue of "Flying Snake: A Journal of Cryptozoology, Folklore and Forteana" presents a blend of apocalyptic prophecies and intriguing reports from the world of the unexplained and cryptozoology. The cover prominently features images of nuclear explosions, setting a tone for the "World War Three" theme, alongside a list of other featured articles.

Editorial and Staff

The editorial team includes Richard Muirhead (also known as Dr. Devo) as Editor, Mike Hardcastle as Sub-Editor based in Australia, and Zvi Ron Israel as a correspondent. Carl Marshall serves as a Zoological Consultant. The "About Flying Snake" section provides contact details for Richard Muirhead, including his UK address and a website for cryptozoology resources. It also clarifies that the opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, and that articles with blank authorship are from collections or unknown sources. The section also mentions that back issues are available on request and details subscription costs: £3.99 per issue or £12 per annum for a full-colour PDF via email. Payment can be made via PayPal on the website, or by UK postal orders/checks made out to Richard Muirhead. The cover images are noted as being from Wikipedia.

Dr Devo's Diary

Richard Muirhead, writing as Dr. Devo, opens the issue with his diary. He begins with a quote from Christopher Smart. Muirhead notes that this is the final issue of Volume 2 and that the numbering format on the cover will be more realistic going forward, with the next issue being Volume 3, Issue 1. He expresses surprise that "Flying Snake" has lasted this long and plans to invest in a printer to speed up production, mentioning a contact in Macclesfield. A significant personal revelation is shared: Muirhead believes he was "separated at birth" from Andy Warhol, a story traced by Bob Skinner, which he feels explains his artistic tastes. He concludes his diary entry with "Until 2014, it's Jocko Homo from me!"

Dreams, Nightmares and Visions of World War 3

This section delves into prophecies and visions concerning a potential World War Three and future cataclysms. It opens with lyrics from the song "Nagasaki Nightmare" by Crass. The editor states he has found numerous web sites from organizations and individuals claiming to have received revelations about World War 3 or future cataclysms, but he cannot vouch for their veracity, advising readers to "dust down your fallout shelter and ignore politicians hopes we'll survive!"

Prophecy by Bishop Aristocoli (1911)

A prophecy passed to Mother Barbara by Bishop Aristocoli in 1911 before his death is presented. It speaks of women needing to belong absolutely to God, believe in His great works, and prepare their souls, children, and husbands for end times.

David Wilkerson Prophecies

Several prophecies attributed to David Wilkerson are detailed:

• 1973 Prophecy: This foretells an evil that will take Russia, leading to rivers of blood flowing across the world. Germany will be divided, France will be destroyed, Italy will face natural disasters, and Britain will lose its empire. America will feed the world but then collapse, with Russia and China destroying each other. Russia will eventually be freed and turn nations to God. The prophecy also describes an economic collapse in the U.S., riots, fires, and a Russian invasion leading to a "hydrogen holocaust." It predicts Russia's invasion of the Holy Land and its destruction by Jesus.
• Undated Prophecy (following 1973): This speaks of a worldwide recession caused by economic confusion, affecting wage-earners globally. Economists will be unable to explain it. It will start in Europe, spread to Japan, and then the U.S. A worldwide, unified monetary system will emerge, hitting the U.S. dollar hard. Real estate will offer temporary security. Environmentalists will face criticism, and there will be major earthquakes, famines, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. A "cosmic storm" appearing as a "raging fire in the sky" is mentioned, along with a "flood of filth and a baptism of dirt in America." Societal changes include topless women on television, full nudity, adult X-rated movies, the mixing of sex and the occult, acceptance of homosexuality, and rebellion in the home. A youth problem of hatred towards parents and persecution against Christians are also predicted.
• 1992 Prophecy: This prophecy describes a world church formed by a union of liberal ecumenical Protestants and the Roman Catholic Church, using Christ in name only. It foretells a "hate Christ movement" and a spiritual awakening behind the Iron and Bamboo Curtains. It also predicts another wave of riots, a fall in moral conduct, a new drug popular with teenagers, and the ordination of homosexual and lesbian ministers. Nude dancing in churches is mentioned but not widespread, along with occult practices in churches. A specific prophecy for New York City details "thirty days of chastisement" with unimaginable violence, looting, fires, and bankruptcy, turning the city into a place of poverty.
• 2009 Prophecy: This foretells an "Earth-Shattering Calamity" that will cause trembling. It warns of "a thousand fires" coming to New York City, engulfing the entire region, and similar events in major cities worldwide, including riots and fires. It states, "We are under God's wrath." Three YouTube links are provided for videos related to the end of the world: "Destruction of Tokyo by earthquake" (June 26th, 2012), "Dream concerning San Francisco earthquake" (December 3rd, 2011), and "Dream: The Russians are coming! [To invade America-R]" (February 14th, 2012).

Midnight Ministries

This section discusses a website dedicated to dreams about future disasters from 1997-2007. The following dreams caught the editor's eye:

• November 1st, 2000: A dream of a nuclear attack in a tower block, witnessing a "massive mushroom head or cloud" towering into the sky. The dreamer was incredulous, realizing it was a nuclear explosion.
• March 21st, 2001: A dream about judgement on the land and the church, where the dreamer felt affected by radioactive fallout from a nuclear power station near Oxford, impacting their health due to living about 20 miles downwind.

NUCLEAR BOMB BLASTS COMING IN LONDON AND OTHER CITIES

This article details a dream experienced by Al, a friend of Zenya's, on April 29th, 2001. In the dream, Al was part of a powerful gang in London when a terrorist sect warned of a bomb attack. He witnessed a nuclear device explode in a large subway or train station. The explosion's radius was very wide, and approximately one million people were estimated to have been killed. Allan managed to escape the blast.

Other Articles Mentioned on Cover/Contents

While the content for these is not fully provided in the scanned pages, the following articles are listed:

• Human Longevity: Pages 12-15
• Alien Big Cats in Malaga? by Javier Resines: Pages 16-22
• The Brazilian Minhocao and the Vietnamese Con Rit by Carl Marshall: Pages 23-29
• Giant Spiders in Colorado: Pages 30-32
• An Out of Place Alligator Gar in South China: Pages 33-37
• Description of An Eel Like Creature Taken In A Net At New Harbour, Maine 1888: Pages 38-40
• Letter: Pages 41-42
• Notes and Queries: Pages 43-47
• Journal Article Review: Pages 48-49

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are overwhelmingly apocalyptic prophecies, particularly those concerning the future of the United States and global conflict, heavily influenced by the visions of David Wilkerson. The editor, Richard Muirhead, adopts a stance of presenting these potentially alarming visions without necessarily endorsing their veracity, encouraging readers to consider them seriously while maintaining a degree of skepticism towards official narratives. Interspersed with these dire predictions are articles on cryptozoology and folklore, suggesting a broad interest in the unexplained and fortean phenomena. The editorial also highlights a shift towards more frequent publication and a personal reflection from the editor, adding a touch of the personal and the bizarre (the Andy Warhol connection) to the magazine's content.

This issue of UFO TIMES, identified by its page number '11', features a prominent article on 'Alien Big Cats in Málaga?' by Javier Resines, alongside historical accounts of human longevity and a personal narrative involving a prophetic dream.

Alien Big Cats in Málaga?

The article by Javier Resines details a series of encounters with large, unidentified felines in the Málaga province of Spain, beginning in 1995. The first reported incident occurred in Comares, where a British citizen, Mr. Ballan, witnessed a large black animal resembling a puma exhibiting unusual behavior. Ballan managed to take a plaster cast of a small paw print.

Subsequent sightings include the 'Best of Genal' in August 2002, described as a strange, huge brown cat weighing about fifty kilos. The phenomenon continued with attacks on livestock farms in the Serranía de Ronda, attributed to these big cats, with victims including a dead foal and slaughtered sheep. The Guardia Civil, Spain's rural police force, deployed agents to investigate, but the animals were not caught, and the cases were often abandoned.

In September 2007, a large black cat was sighted in a park in Cala de Mijas, with a witness photographing it. Authorities and a veterinarian consulted believed it to be a panther. The search was unsuccessful. Seven months later, in March and April 2008, a similar animal attacked a pig farm in El Cañuelo, Campillos, killing fourteen sows and injuring eight. The owner described the animal as having dark and bright fur and being very agile.

Further reports include traces found on a nearby farm, with a Ranger estimating the animal's weight at over eighty kilos. The Guardia Civil suggested wild dogs, but the farmer disagreed. Hikers also reported seeing two animals, described as four or five times the size of a normal cat, on a road near Monda and Guaro. In September 2008, a video of an animal named 'La Cala cougar' was taken in Cala de Mijas, showing a dark, considerable-sized animal. The witness, Steve Rhodes, described it as bigger than a domestic cat with a long tail and agile jumping abilities.

The article discusses the possibility of these sightings being escaped pumas, panthers, or other hybrid big cats that have adapted to the wild. It notes that Spain has native wild cats like the wildcat, Iberian lynx, and genet, but none match the descriptions of the sighted animals. The hypothesis of a colony of hybrid big cats reproducing and exploring new territories is presented as the most credible explanation.

Human Longevity Cases

The issue also presents historical accounts of individuals who lived exceptionally long lives. These include:

• Thomas Parr: A poor countryman from Winnington, Shropshire, who reportedly lived to 152 years old. He married at eighty-eight, had children, remarried at one hundred and two, and later married a widow at one hundred and thirty. He was presented to King Charles I. His body was found to be fleshy, with a thick and fat heart, and sound organs.
• Mary Allison: Aged 108, from Thorlby, Skipton, who was able to spin two years before her death.
• John Sagar: Aged 112, from Burnley, Lancashire.
• Henry Jenkins: Aged 169, from Ellerton Upon Swale, Yorkshire. He remembered the battle of Plowden-Field in 1513. He was reputed to be one hundred years old when first known and was a butler to Lord Conyers. A deposition from April 1665 records him as being 157 years old. He was a fisherman in his later life and swam in rivers after age one hundred.
• Thomas Wiggin: Aged 108, from Carlton, Craven, who was able to walk until near his death.

Prophetic Dream

A personal account describes a dream experienced by someone named Allan. In the dream, Allan felt concerned for friends in London due to its vividness. He then dreamed of walking away from wreckage and being followed by a boy, whom he believed played a part in a bombing. The boy asked for a lift, which Allan found insulting. The narrative connects this to Isaiah 3:12, prophesying a time when youth would oppress society, and God would judge His people (Isaiah 3:13-14).

References

The issue provides three web references:

1. http://www.kingdomvision.co.uk/archives/3129
2. http://www.americaslastdays.blogspot.co.uk/p/david-wilkerson-economic-collapse-then.html
3. http://www.midnightministries.org.uk/revelations_judgement_britain.htm

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are unexplained phenomena (big cats), human endurance (longevity), and spiritual or prophetic insights. The editorial stance appears to be one of exploring unusual events and historical curiosities, presenting witness accounts and historical records for the reader's consideration, without necessarily endorsing a single explanation, particularly in the case of the Málaga big cats. The inclusion of biblical references in the dream narrative suggests an interest in spiritual interpretations of events.

This document, likely an issue of a cryptozoology-focused publication, features an article titled "The Brazilian Minhocao and the Vietnamese Con Rit" by Carl P. Marshall. The issue includes images of a pig injured in Campillos, Spain in 2008, a cat's footprint in Campillos in 2008, a video capture of the La Cala cougar in 2008, and an image of a Genetta genetta.

The Brazilian Minhocao

The article explores the Minhocao, a cryptid from the Upper Paraguay region of South America. It is described as a monstrous, extremely large, elongate subterranean creature, sometimes spelled 'minocao'. Theories suggest it could be a giant caecilian (a limbless amphibian) or a 'mega myriapod' (a giant arthropod). The Minhocao is noted for digging enormous trenches that alter landscapes. A significant account is presented from Dr. Karl Shuker's "Alien Zoo" article, detailing an email from Samwell Rowan about his mother's sighting in a Peruvian rainforest during the late 1980s or early 1990s. She described seeing a large, black, snake-like creature with armored plates and possibly small legs, which she initially mistook for a giant centipede but noted its size (estimated at least twenty feet long) did not match known species.

The largest verified extant myriapod is the African giant black millipede (*Archispirosstreptus gigas*), measuring 38.6cm, which is far smaller than the reported Minhocao claims. The article questions the physiological possibility of such gargantuan terrestrial arthropods.

The Vietnamese Con Rit

The article then shifts to the 'con rit', a Vietnamese sea monster. Theories about its identity are divided between cetacean and invertebrate origins. Dr. Bernard Heuvelmans, in "In the Wake of Sea Serpents," proposed the name 'many finned sea serpent' and the parataxonomic name *Cetioscolpenda aelani* (Aelan's cetacean centipede). He estimated these creatures to be 60-70 feet long, possibly related to primitive cetaceans like *Basilosaurus*. However, reconstructions of the con rit by Heuvelmans and others depict it as looking more like an aquatic *Ankylosaurus* with additional armor, suggesting an invertebrate link.

The invertebrate theory is further supported by the fact that 'con rit' is a Vietnamese name for millipedes and centipedes. A report from Tran Van Con, related to A. Krempf in 1921, describes a beached carcass on Hongay beach, Vietnam, in 1883. The animal, in an advanced state of putrefaction with its head missing, was 60 feet long and 3 feet wide. It was described as being formed of successive, similar segments, each 2 feet long and 3 feet wide, with appendages. The tegument was dark brown dorsally and light yellow ventrally, and it made a metallic sound when struck. The stench was so strong that locals avoided it, and the remains were towed out to sea.

Another significant sighting occurred in 1899 off Cape Falcon, Algeria, by HMS Narcisuss. Lieutenant Boothby observed a sea monster over 150 feet long, propelled by numerous fins. Witnesses described it as gliding steadily, unlike porpoises, and spurting water from various parts of its body, though the spouts were small. These sightings are considered significant due to corroboration and the description of independently movable fins, reinforcing the invertebrate theory.

An Ancestral Contender: Arthropleura

The article introduces *Arthropleura*, the largest known terrestrial invertebrate, which lived 340-280 million years ago and reached lengths of up to 3 meters. It is now believed to be a representative of the sub-phylum Myriapoda. *Arthropleura* thrived in the high atmospheric oxygen levels of the Carboniferous period and likely fed on plants, though larger species might have been omnivorous. It is hypothesized that some species might have survived extinction by adapting to a marine environment, potentially explaining sightings of multi-finned sea serpents. The article speculates that the water spurting observed in the Algeria sighting could be the aquatic *Arthropleura* regulating salt levels through its exoskeleton, a phenomenon related to 'Abyssal Gigantism'.

Other possible explanations for sea serpent sightings include misidentified whale parts, oarfish vertebrae, surviving sea scorpions (*Eurypterida*), or a giant unknown crustacean proposed by Dr. Karl Shuker. The largest known living crustacean is the Japanese spider crab (*Macrocheira kaempferi*).

Micheal A. Woodley's book "In the Wake of Bernard Heuvelmans" is cited, suggesting the con rit might belong to a new family and order within *Arthropleuridae*. The 1883 Hongay beach carcass is considered potentially sufficient evidence for a type specimen.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the exploration of cryptids and the possibility of their identification as unknown or extinct species, particularly invertebrates. The editorial stance appears to favor the investigation of less conventional theories, such as invertebrate origins for sea monsters, and highlights the importance of historical accounts and scientific speculation in the field of cryptozoology. The article encourages further research into these mysterious creatures.

Title: UFO ROUNDUP
Issue: Vol. 10, No. 1
Date: January 1985
Publisher: Mutual UFO Network
Country: USA
Price: $3.00

This issue of UFO ROUNDUP presents a collection of intriguing reports and investigations into unexplained phenomena, ranging from cryptids to aerial mysteries.

Colorado's Giant Spiders

The magazine opens with two newspaper stories and an image from Google Earth concerning giant spiders in Colorado. The first, from The Daily Star, references a story from the Leadville (Col.) Chronicle about a cave near Buena Vista inhabited by spiders of enormous size. These spiders, discovered by sightseers in December, weave webs with fibers ten times larger than those of ordinary spiders, making them incredibly tough and difficult to break. The spiders themselves are described as being about the size of small birds and making a strange sound while weaving. A miner examined the web strands, finding them to be about the size of a No. 12 thread, strong enough to be used for sewing. There was talk of starting a thread factory using these webs.

The second article, titled "COLORADO'S MONSTER SPIDERS," discusses a scientific investigation of insects, referencing tales of marvellous spiders. Prof. E.T. Laughton reportedly investigated a species of monster spiders in the Middle Cottonwood pass near Buena Vista. These spiders are surrounded by Indian legends and prospectors' tales. A story recounts how in 1830, a man named Shultz entered a spider den in a valley northeast of Harvard City and was later found dead, partly buried under falling rock. His skeleton remained in the cave, while the spiders had moved further into the mountain.

An old letter found in Buena Vista describes a cave discovered in 1868, swarming with spiders of immense size, with legs four inches in length and bodies as large as a canary bird. Pioneers en route to California obtained their webs for use as thread. The webs were tested in '71 and found to be composed of the finest quality silk. The spiders' skins were said to make good gloves, and some were captured and tamed, showing affection and acting as effective rat and mouse exterminators. One spider was kept as a pet by a Buena Vista lady and acted as a sentinel.

Out of Place Alligator Gar in South China

This section details the unusual appearance of Alligator Gar in South China in 2011. On June 6, 2011, visitors to a restaurant in Ling Lake Hengyang, Hunan, were drawn to a "duckbill snake" at a store. The fish, found in a pond in Bi Tanqian, had a duck-like mouth, needle-like teeth, a dorsal fin set rearward, and a rounded caudal fin, resembling both a fish and a snake. Stall holders mentioned catching similar fish in the Xiangjiang River. Mr. Yi purchased two of these fish, described as 40 cm long with an 8 cm beak, weighing about 1.1 pounds. They had approximately 20 teeth on the jaw and 40 on the palate, with teeth measuring 0.5 to 1 cm. Mr. Yi noted the fish's sectional nature and hard scales. He expressed curiosity, having never seen such a fish before.

The article further discusses the Alligator Gar's origin in the Americas, its toxicity (eggs and flesh), and its potential to disrupt river ecosystems. It is speculated that they might be descendants of ancient dinosaurs or platypus and are considered invasive species. The text includes commentary from various individuals, including Richard Muirhead, Andrew D Gable, Brian A. Hammond, and Marc Britton, who discuss the fish's identification and origin. Wikipedia is cited as a source for the Alligator Gar's range, noting few sightings outside North America.

Several specific incidents of Alligator Gar sightings outside North America are documented: a 1.5 m specimen in Jakarta, Indonesia in February 2007 during a flood; a 3 kg specimen in Bera, Pahang, Malaysia in January 2008; a 0.5 to 0.6 m specimen in Esenguly, Turkmenistan in November 2008; and multiple sightings in Hong Kong in September 2009, including one of 1.5 m. The Hong Kong incident involved fish released by aquarium hobbyists, which were later euthanized by the government despite offers from the Ocean Park. A 1.5 m Alligator Gar was also caught in Pasir Ris, Singapore in January 2011. The article also mentions Alligator Gars becoming "trophy" fish for private aquariums, particularly in Japan, and notes an indictment in June 2011 related to illegally removing wild gar from the Trinity River in Texas.

A Mystery Sea Creature in 1888

This section, from the Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission, details the description of an eel-like creature taken in a net at New Harbor, Maine, in August 1880. S. W. Hanna reported catching what might be called a young sea-serpent, approximately 25 feet long and 10 inches in diameter, shaped like an eel. It had a flat head with an upper projection over a small mouth containing sharp teeth. The skin was described as finer than that of a scale-fish, more like a dog-fish or shark. Hanna did not save the specimen, considering it bad luck due to the damage to his nets. He noted that the fish could have been retrieved within twenty-four hours, but a storm prevented it.

Further correspondence between Mr. Hanna, J. M. Allen, and Professor Baird provides more details. Hanna described the creature's body as round, the tail like a common eel, and the color as slate or fish-colored on the back and grayish-white on the belly. It had two fins on each side, abaft the head, and a dorsal fin similar to that of a cod or sun-fish. The head resembled that of a shark but was more stunted, or like the head of a sucker. The mouth was very small, with fine, briery teeth, located at the extreme end of the head. A drawing was included, based on Hanna's recollection.

The Mystery of the Missing Airliner

While not detailed in the provided text, the cover headline indicates a significant article on the "MYSTERY OF THE MISSING AIRLINER," suggesting an investigation into an unexplained disappearance, likely involving UFOs given the magazine's theme.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of unexplained phenomena, particularly those involving unusual creatures (giant spiders, sea monsters, out-of-place fish) and aerial mysteries (missing airliner). The magazine appears to adopt an investigative stance, presenting reports, witness accounts, and scientific inquiries into these anomalies. The editorial stance seems to be one of open-mindedness towards the possibility of unknown entities and events, while also referencing scientific investigations and historical accounts. The inclusion of references and citations suggests an effort to ground the reports in documented evidence, even when dealing with extraordinary claims.

This document is a collection of "Notes and Queries" and a "Journal Article Review" from various publications, primarily focused on unusual animal sightings, biological curiosities, and historical debates in natural history and zoology. The content spans from the late 19th century to the early 21st century, with a strong emphasis on reports and discussions from the 1800s.

"Odd Fish" in Wisconsin

The first section details a strange story from Wisconsin, originally published in The Richmond Climax on June 8, 1904. A clam fisherman named Oscar Millard caught a creature in a river near La Crosse, Wisconsin. This creature was described as resembling a long-eared dog with six webbed feet and fins like a fish, possessing a fish tail and a head shaped like a walrus. The species was unknown to local scientists, and it was considered a "tall tale" by Chad Arment, who posted it on Facebook. The report includes thanks to Bob Skinner for assistance.

A Curious Rabbit

This section, referencing "The Wisconsin Naturalist, Vol 1 Jan 1891 no. 6 page 89," describes a peculiar Gray Rabbit (Lepus sylvaticus) shot in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. The rabbit was of medium length but slimmer than average. Its most remarkable feature was its coat: long, silky, ashy-blue hair on its back, divided dorsally and falling like a fringe, with a distinct "part" on the ventral surface. The hair on the back was over four and a half inches long, resembling fine goat's hair. A puzzling aspect was that its sex could not be determined, with dissection revealing rudimentary or imperfectly developed sexual organs. This specimen was mounted and belongs to the Albion Academy Museum and Library Association.

A Flying Snake

An account from "Forest and Stream vol 5 1875-6 page 68," attributed to the Leavenworth Times, describes a "flying snake." A friend reported seeing a serpent approaching two boys, Remington and Jenkins, about four feet above the ground. Jenkins captured it by throwing his hat over it. The snake was described as over one foot long, spotted, and possessing wings about the size of a man's head. The boys preserved it in alcohol.

A Snake with Ears

Another report from "Forest and Stream vol 5 page 116," citing The Reading Eagle, details a large swamp black snake recently killed in Robeson township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. This snake had two ears located about two inches apart, three and a half inches from the back of its mouth. The ears were about half an inch in length and shaped like a rabbit's.

White Hedge-Sparrows Reared by Blackbirds? A Wrexham Mystery

This article from the "Chester Chronicle August 26th 1933" presents a mystery from Wrexham. Mr. G.M. Pickering of Hafod-y-Bwleh reported seeing young hedge-sparrows that were pure white with rose-pink eyes, identified as albinos. He observed these young birds being fed by an ordinary blackbird. He managed to catch one specimen, which was sent to the Chester Museum. The mystery lies in why the blackbirds were acting as foster parents, as the nest was not found. Theories include the blackbird nest being abandoned or the hedge-sparrows laying eggs in an already occupied blackbird nest.

Black Specimen of the Common Squirrel

An entry from "The Zoologist 1864 page 9431" by M.R. Pryor of High Elms, Watford, dated December 17, 1864, reports seeing a black squirrel near Watford on October 18th of that year. The author did not shoot it, noting that black squirrels were not often seen in England. He also mentioned frequently seeing squirrels with fur as dark as a sable on their tails and very dark bodies.

"Spontaneous" Appearance of Fish

This entry, shared via Facebook from Paul Screeton, recounts an experience in Aberdeenshire around 1971. A prolific authoress had a small, shallow pond installed, and one day a fish was found in it. There were only two children in the vicinity, neither of whom claimed responsibility. The author also shares a personal experience of a newt appearing in a sunken baby bath in his garden, calling it a "fortean mystery."

Queries

An entry found in Aubrey's Monumenta Britannica is presented, quoting "Dr Moulins" who saw many round camps (Danish) and urns in Ireland. It also notes that the Romans had knowledge of Ireland, as per Tacitus' Life of Agricola. The section poses a question for readers seeking more information.

Journal Article Review: Siren canora: the mermaid and the mythical in late nineteenth-century science. H. Brink-Roby

This review discusses a paper by H. Brink-Roby published in "Archives of Natural History 35 (1): 1-14, 2008." The paper examines the debate surrounding mythical creatures like dragons, satyrs, and mermaids in the context of Charles Darwin's theories of evolution, specifically "On the origin of species" (1859) and "The descent of man" (1871). The review notes that evolutionary theory gave new authority to mythical creatures for some naturalists and commentators in the latter half of the 19th century. These mythical creatures were used both to support and to critique Darwin's ideas. For example, critics like Revd Enoch Fitch Burr used the absence of such hybrid forms (like centaurs or mermaids) to argue against Darwin's theory. Conversely, others saw mermaids as a potential link between aquatic animals and humans. The paper highlights that by 1872-1885, "Nature" contained 19 contributions on the sea-serpent, and literature from various sources contributed to this debate. Charles Gould, author of "Mythical Monsters" (1886), suggested that Darwin's theory gave credibility to composite mythological organisms. The review concludes that science in the late 19th century was divided, with a majority opinion hostile to the "reality" of mythological animals, yet science also gave new authority to the fabulous and mythical for some.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of articles and notes are the reporting and investigation of unusual biological phenomena, cryptozoology, and the intersection of folklore with scientific inquiry. There is a clear interest in historical accounts and mysteries that challenge conventional understanding of the natural world. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and historical debates without necessarily endorsing them as fact, but rather as subjects of interest and potential mystery. The inclusion of the journal article review suggests an engagement with the historical context of scientific thought, particularly concerning evolution and the classification of creatures.

This document appears to be the cover of a magazine or newsletter titled "weird weekend 2014". The cover date is August 15-17, 2014, and it is associated with The Community Centre in Woolfardisworthy, North Devon, UK. The main headline proclaims that for three days each year, the small village of Woolsery becomes "the weirdest place in the land".

Cover Art and Themes

The cover features a striking visual composition. A photograph of a village street in North Devon serves as the background, with a stone tower visible in the distance. Superimposed onto this scene are two dinosaurs – a large theropod resembling a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a smaller, agile raptor-like dinosaur. Additionally, a UFO-like craft, depicted with a rainbow spectrum emanating from it, is present. The overall imagery, combined with the title "weird weekend", suggests themes of cryptids, unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP), and unusual events.

Event Details

The event is scheduled for August 15-17, 2014, and is located at The Community Centre, Woolfardisworthy, North Devon, UK. Contact information provided includes the website www.cfz.org.uk and a telephone number: +44 (0) 1237 431413.

Additional Content (Page 1)

Page 1 contains a separate graphic with the text "EMERSON" and the website "www.cosmicpolymath.com". This graphic includes an illustration of a man with a beard holding a complex device, a UFO, and other fantastical elements, suggesting a connection to science, cosmology, or perhaps fringe theories.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The "weird weekend" concept, coupled with the imagery of dinosaurs and UFOs, indicates a focus on the unusual, the unexplained, and potentially the paranormal or fringe science. The event's aim to make Woolsery the "weirdest place in the land" suggests an embrace of the eccentric and the extraordinary. The inclusion of the "cosmicpolymath.com" website hints at a broader interest in topics that blend science, mystery, and perhaps speculative ideas.