North American BioFortean Review - Issue 02

Magazine Overview

The North American BioFortean Review, Vol. 1, No. 2, published in June 1999, is a free PDF-format newsletter focused on zoological folklore, cryptozoology, and scientific anomalies. Edited by Chad Arment and Brad LaGrange, the issue features a collection of articles, notes, reviews, and abstracts, with a cover headline emphasizing discovery as an adventure rather than a purely logical process, attributed to Theobald Smith.

Articles

Honey Bears: a piece of local folklore

Brad LaGrange explores local folklore surrounding "honey bears" in Indiana, particularly in Perry County. While acknowledging there are currently no known bear populations in Indiana, he discusses historical accounts from the 1840s involving bear hunts and raids on hog pens. LaGrange notes that these "honey bears" are consistently described as black, seen in June and July, and small. He concludes that these stories are likely folklore, though they are deeply ingrained in local culture, with areas like "Bear Hollow" and the region around Patoka Lake being notable. He also mentions that local game wardens attribute some Patoka bear reports to vandals and dogs, and that while a naturalist suggests bears might eventually return to Indiana, LaGrange remains skeptical about reports from the Patoka South area.

Giant Centipedes in the Ozarks

Chad Arment investigates reports of large centipedes in the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri, drawing from the work of folklorist Silas Claborn Turnbo. While North American species like *Scolopendra heros* typically reach up to seven inches, Turnbo's collection of early tales includes several accounts of much larger specimens. These include an eight-inch centipede found near Gainesville, Missouri, another between seven and eight inches, and a seven-and-a-half-inch centipede that allegedly caused a child to be crippled for a year. A nest of centipedes was found in Taney County, Missouri, in 1861, with an eight-inch mother coiled around her young. Other reports mention a twelve-inch centipede killed on Mountain Creek, Arkansas, and an estimated fourteen-inch centipede found near Powell, Arkansas. The largest reported by Turnbo was captured alive by Bent Music in Marion County, Missouri, in 1860, measuring eighteen inches long. Arment notes that while these accounts are anecdotal, they suggest the possibility of a regional morph of *S. heros* or other large scolopendrids existing in the Ozarks at one time. He concludes by mentioning Rowland Shelley's ongoing review of North American scolopendromorphs.

Stejneger's Review of Steller's Sea-Ape (Reprint)

This section features a reprint of Leonhard Stejneger's analysis of Georg Wilhelm Steller's account of the "sea-ape." Stejneger notes that Steller's original observation on August 10, made from the ship *St. Peter* near Tchirikov Island at approximately 53° N latitude, occurred under conditions of poor light, possibly near sunset. Stejneger examines various historical translations of Steller's description, including those from Krasheninnikov's *Opisanie Zemli Kamtchatka* (1755) and later French and English versions. Steller described the creature as having a dog-like head, pointed ears, long whiskers, large eyes, a roundish and oblong body, thick hair (gray on the back, chestnut white on the belly), and a divided tail or flipper. He also noted its agility and monkey-like behavior, including raising its body upright out of the water. Stejneger, however, concludes that Steller was likely observing a full-grown bachelor fur-seal. He argues that the described characteristics, such as the dog-like face, large eyes, whiskers, and pointed ears, are consistent with a fur-seal. He suggests that the "tail" was likely the hind legs, and the fore flippers were not clearly visible due to their position and the animal's movements. Stejneger points out that Steller had not previously encountered a fur-seal, which would explain his misidentification.

Commentary on Stejneger's Sea-Ape Review

Chris Orrick provides commentary on Stejneger's interpretation of Steller's sea-ape sighting. (Details not fully available in the provided text, but it likely discusses the implications or validity of Stejneger's fur-seal hypothesis).

New Zuiyo maru Cryptid Observations: Appears to be an Unknown Marine Tetrapod Species

John Goertzen, M.S., M.A., presents observations related to the *Zuiyo maru* cryptid. This article, though seemingly incongruous in a newsletter focused on North American anomalies, is included to explore interesting methodologies in cryptozoological research, particularly concerning archaeological representations. (Further details on the specific observations and their connection to archaeological representations are not fully detailed in the provided text).

A Tale from Ohio

(Details not fully available in the provided text).

A Problematic Translation

Chad Arment discusses a translation issue. (Details not fully available in the provided text).

Notes, Reviews, and Abstracts

Anomalous Abstracts

Chad Arment curates a section of brief summaries of recent scientific findings:

• Caterpillars as social insects: J.T. Costa (1997) notes that caterpillars exhibit behaviors like synchronous group displays, herding, and foraging, similar to social insects.
• Seamounts and the mystery of eel spawning: H. Fricke and K. Tsukamoto (1998) propose that *Anguilla* eels mass around seamounts before spawning, releasing a pheromone-like chemical to find each other.
• A female caste specialized for the production of unfertilized eggs in the ant *Crematogaster smithi*: J. Heinze et al. (1999) report on a specialized caste of ants that produces unfertilized eggs, possibly for food storage.
• Iridescent blue plants: D.W. Lee (1997) discusses plants like *Selaginella* and *Begonia pavonina* that exhibit iridescence due to structural elements like layered filters or iridoplasts, with the function often unknown.
• Light-reflection strategies: A.R. Parker (1999) details how organisms use transparency, pigmentation, bioluminescence, and reflection for camouflage, and how compound eyes with facets maximize light absorption.
• Distribution and ecology of iridovirus in terrestrial isopods: H. Wijnhoven and M.P. Berg (1999) explain that blue coloration in pillbugs can be due to iridovirus infection, which is lethal and causes a "pearl-shell glow."

Clarification on the "Harrison County Ape"

Brad LaGrange clarifies a point about an illustration of the "Harrison County Ape" previously featured in the review. He explains that the witness did not have a clear view of the face, only noting a lack of snout and reflective eyes, which is why the illustration omits features like the nose, mouth, and cheeks.

An Imprint in Stone

(Details not fully available in the provided text).

Lost Cryptid Book Comes Home

(Details not fully available in the provided text).

Strange Crustacean Folklore

(Details not fully available in the provided text).

A Tale of Texas Skeletons

(Details not fully available in the provided text).

From the Editors

The editors state that this second issue contains brief summaries of zoological folklore, notes from scientific literature, and miscellaneous items. They acknowledge the inclusion of the *Zuiyo maru* article, explaining their occasional publication of articles exploring cryptozoological methodologies, even if not strictly North American. They anticipate debate regarding Goertzen's article on archaeological representations and encourage submissions from readers.

Fair Usage Policy

The review adheres to fair use principles for images, citing Title 17 of the United States Code (USC Title 17 § 107) for criticism, comment, education, and research purposes.

Distribution Policy

The North American BioFortean Review is distributed as a free PDF-format newsletter downloadable from the Zoological Miscellania website (www.herper.com). Print copies are also distributed free of charge. Readers are encouraged to share the URL.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the intersection of folklore and zoology, the exploration of cryptozoological evidence and methodology, and the presentation of scientific abstracts that touch upon unusual biological phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded, encouraging debate and the consideration of new resources, even if they challenge established theories. They value rigorous investigation and are interested in diverse perspectives within the biofortean field.

Title: UFO ROUNDUP
Issue: Vol. 10, No. 10
Date: October 1995
Publisher: Center for UFO Studies
Country: USA
Price: $4.00
Cover Headline: THE MYSTERY OF THE SEA MONKEY

This issue of UFO ROUNDUP delves into several intriguing mysteries, primarily focusing on the historical and scientific debate surrounding "Steller's Sea Monkey," an enigmatic creature first described by Georg Wilhelm Steller. The magazine also features an article on a peculiar imprint found in Washington State and a re-examination of the Zuiyo maru carcass.

The Mystery of the Sea Monkey

The lead article, "The Mystery of the Sea Monkey," by Chris Orrick, critically examines the identification of Steller's Sea Monkey. Georg Wilhelm Steller, an 18th-century naturalist, described an unknown sea animal. Leonhard Stejneger, a prominent 20th-century zoologist and Steller's biographer, identified this creature as a northern fur seal. Stejneger's extensive research and authority led to this identification being widely accepted. However, the article argues that Stejneger's translations and interpretations may have been biased, potentially leading to an "imagined" scenario rather than factual reporting.

The author highlights that Stejneger, in his 1936 biography, cited a Russian Academy of Science document that was unavailable in English, suggesting a deliberate omission or misinterpretation. The article points out that Stejneger was intimately familiar with David Starr Jordan's 1899 document, "The Fur Seals and Fur-Seal Islands of the North Pacific Ocean," which contained an English translation of Steller's work. This document already included Steller's description of an "unknown animal" and a sketch of a "sea ape" from the Shumagin Islands. The author posits that Stejneger "invented" the Sea Monkey story, possibly due to his limited geographical scope at the time, focusing only on known Alaskan marine mammals.

New evidence suggests that Steller's Sea Monkey might have been a young male California sea lion or, more remarkably, a juvenile male Hawaiian monk seal. The article emphasizes that Steller's sighting on August 10, 1741, off the coast of Alaska, described an animal unknown to western science at the time.

An Imprint in Stone

Authored by Chad Arment, "An Imprint in Stone" presents a photograph of a rock imprint found on the northwest coast of Washington State. The imprint strongly resembles a footprint. The photographer discovered it alongside another rock with a possible partial print in an area that may have been subtidal at the time of formation. Geologists estimate the rocks to be between 10 and 20 million years old. The photographer, who is 14 years old, did not take the rock but plans to return and recover it for scientific examination. The article acknowledges that while it might have a mundane explanation, it is an interesting artifact.

New Zuiyo maru Cryptid Observations: Appears to be an Unknown Marine Tetrapod Species

This article by John Goertzen, M.S., M.A., revisits the Zuiyo maru incident. In 1977, a Japanese fishing vessel brought up a large animal carcass from a depth of 300 meters near New Zealand. Mr. Michihiko Yano of the Taiyo Fishery Company took photographs, made measurements, and sketched the cryptid. A team of specialists later published their findings, but could not reach a unanimous conclusion. The prevailing theory at the time suggested it was a basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), a view strongly advocated by some, like Kuban, who urged that the inquiry into other possibilities, such as a plesiosaur, be halted.

Goertzen's analysis focuses on new evidence, particularly the presence of a symmetrical pair of small upper fins, observed in Yano's photographs and supported by archaeological representations of "longnecks." This feature challenges the basking shark identification. The article also notes the potential for soft horns on the head, similar to some plesiosaur depictions and sightings at Loch Ness and in Malaysia. The author suggests that the cryptid might not be identifiable with known living creatures or fossils but possesses characteristics of marine tetrapods, possibly from the phylum Sauropterygia.

Further evidence discussed includes the interpretation of what was previously thought to be a shark's dorsal fin. The article argues that this structure, visible above the pectoral fin, is more likely a symmetrical upper fin, corresponding to a similar fin on the opposite side. This interpretation is supported by an Aboriginal painting from North Queensland, Australia, depicting a long-necked creature with similar fin placement. The sighting of "Nessie" on land by Mr. and Mrs. George Spicer, where something protruded from its shoulder, is also cited as corroborating evidence for such fins.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of unexplained phenomena, particularly in the realm of cryptozoology and historical accounts of mysterious creatures. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of critical inquiry, re-examining established conclusions (like Stejneger's identification of the Sea Monkey) and presenting new evidence or alternative interpretations. There is a clear interest in challenging conventional scientific explanations when evidence suggests otherwise, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond the currently known or accepted. The articles collectively highlight the enduring fascination with the unknown and the ongoing efforts to solve enduring mysteries through scientific and historical investigation.

This issue of Cryptozoology, Volume 16, published in 1998, focuses on the reexamination of the Zuiyo Maru cryptid and includes a personal account of unsettling events on an Ohio farm. The magazine is published by the International Society of Cryptozoology and is in English.

The Zuiyo Maru Cryptid: A Reexamination of the Evidence

The lead article critically re-evaluates the identification of the carcass trawled by the Japanese fishing vessel Zuiyo-Maru off the coast of New Zealand in 1977. Initially, the creature was widely considered to be a basking shark. However, the article, drawing on the work of Obata and Tomoda (1978) and others, presents a strong case against the shark identification. Key arguments include:

• Anterior Fins: The presence of a pair of anterior fins, distinct from flippers, is noted. Known shark species do not possess such a pair of upper anterior fins, making the shark hypothesis obsolete.
• Dorsal Fin Theory: The long-held belief that a fin on the upper right anterior portion of the carcass was a displaced dorsal fin of a shark is now considered unlikely. Evidence suggests there was also a small fin on the upper left anterior portion, and the displacement of shadows in photographs supports its presence.
• Morphological Similarities: The creature's morphology is compared to ancient depictions, particularly an Egyptian seal (Figure 6) depicting a Sauropterygia-like animal with myocommata on its dorsal side, and a Roman mosaic from Lydney Park (Figure 9). These ancient representations show longnecks with small upper anterior fins, similar to what is suggested for the Zuiyo Maru cryptid.
• Myocommata and Elastodin: The presence of myocommata, a feature of sharks, is discussed. The article questions whether extinct marine reptiles could also have possessed myocommata, drawing an analogy to the assumption that they would not have had elastodin (a protein found in sharks).
• Fossil Record Discrepancies: The dimensions of the cryptid do not match those of known fossil plesiosaurs. This could indicate a species not yet discovered or a misinterpretation of fossil records. The peculiar morphology of the flippers, as sketched by Yano, also suggests a potentially unknown species.
• Yano's Testimony: The eyewitness testimony of M. Yano and his colleagues is given significant weight. Yano specified that the fin in question was the right anterior fin, which had an unusual structure with exposed rays. He denied it was a broken posterior fin or a dorsal fin.

The article concludes that a Sauropterygia identification remains viable, and the cryptid may be unknown from the fossil record. The placement of the suspected anterior fins suggests they may have helped stabilize the creature during propulsion. The author suggests that further study, potentially including DNA analysis if horny fibers remain, could provide more definitive answers.

A Tale from Ohio: A Personal Account of Unexplained Events

This section presents a first-hand account from a woman named Penny, detailing a series of disturbing and unexplained events that occurred on a farm in Wood County, Ohio, in April 1976. The narrative highlights the potential presence of an unknown creature or phenomenon:

• Initial Events: The account begins with the discovery of 175 baby geese killed near a meadow where ponies were kept. The ponies were agitated, and the cows were unusually noisy. Fish & Game officials were present and attributed the kill to a lynx.
• Trapper's Departure: A trapper, who had set traps along a creek, abruptly left the area, stating he was getting out and would not be back, though he had caught a fox and an opossum.
• Escalating Disturbances: The events intensified with cows running through electric fences in a stampede-like manner, causing milk production issues. The cows began calving mostly at night. Screams were heard, initially attributed to a lynx, but later described as much louder and more terrifying.
• Calf Death and Barn Damage: A calf was found dead with a broken neck in front of the trailer. The door to the veal barn was ripped off, and its contents were disturbed.
• Horse Deaths: Two dead horses, described as having gone crazy the night before, were buried near where the geese were buried. One horse had broken legs, suggesting violent trauma.
• Chicken Coop Incident: A basketball-sized hole was found in the top of an enclosed chicken coop run, and two Peking ducks were missing. The author reported smelling a skunk that night.
• Children's Stories: Children living in a nearby trailer told stories of a "boogie man" in the trees between the fields, described as ugly and smelly, who would chase them.
• Deer Disappearance: Deer that were usually seen in the orchard behind the wheat field were not present during the nights when these events occurred.
• The Bull Incident: In early July, after a month of relative calm, the disturbances resumed. The most terrifying event involved a bull that broke loose and went berserk, charging everything. Cows were screaming, and something else was screaming from the barn. The author found herself trapped between the charging bull and the unknown entity in the barn, with cows blocking the road.

The author concludes that the events were not typical animal behavior and expresses her fear and confusion, questioning if the children's stories of the "boogie man" were true.

The Value of Archaeology for Cryptozoology

This section discusses the emerging field of using ancient and tribal art for cryptozoological research. It highlights the work of researchers like Shuker, Janis, Swords, and Mayor, who have explored archaeological representations of animals. The author suggests that ancient artwork, when corroborated by multiple independent sources, can provide accurate depictions of creatures that were observed, potentially offering valuable insights into cryptozoology.

Conclusion

The article concludes that the Zuiyo Maru cryptid is likely a marine tetrapod, and the shark identification is obsolete. The evidence points towards an unknown species, possibly a plesiosaur, with morphological features that do not match currently known fossil records. The author suggests that the anterior fins may have played a role in stabilization during propulsion. The Zuiyo Maru creature remains a fascinating enigma, and continued study is encouraged.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of biology, paleontology, archaeology, and eyewitness accounts in the study of unknown animals. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous scientific inquiry, challenging conventional identifications (like the Zuiyo Maru as a shark) and encouraging the exploration of less conventional hypotheses (like marine tetrapods). There is an open-mindedness towards the possibility of undiscovered species and the value of historical and anecdotal evidence when critically examined. The inclusion of both detailed scientific analysis and personal accounts suggests a broad approach to cryptozoological investigation.

This issue of Strange Magazine features a collection of articles exploring various unexplained phenomena, folklore, and historical accounts, with a focus on creatures, misinterpretations, and unusual discoveries. The magazine includes personal accounts, historical research, and critical analysis.

Article 1: Farm Incident Account

The first section details a personal account of a series of disturbing events occurring on a farm. The narrator describes hearing loud, terrifying screams, initially attributed to cows, but later escalating to a more sinister nature. The incidents involve animal distress, including cows down and steers crashing through fences, leading to injuries. A particularly frightening event involves a large, unidentified creature with red eyes, estimated to be over seven feet tall, appearing outside the narrator's living room window. The narrator expresses fear for their children and dog during these encounters. The account also mentions the dog digging a pit where other animals were found hiding, suggesting a pattern of unusual behavior linked to these events. The narrator notes that tracks were not discernible due to farm equipment and muddy conditions.

Article 2: Lost Cryptid Book Comes Home

This piece, written by Brad LaGrange, discusses the discovery of a book titled "Search for a Living Fossil" by Eleanor Clymer, published by Scholastic Books. The author found the book in a thrift store and describes it as a middle school adventure book about the coelacanth. While acknowledging that experts might find errors, LaGrange found the read interesting and suspenseful, noting it doesn't mention coelacanths elsewhere but touches on the South African specimen. The book's appearance in an Indiana thrift store is highlighted as an example of the coelacanth's propensity for appearing in unexpected places.

Article 3: A Problematic Translation

Authored by Chad Arment, this article examines how mistranslations can lead to the misidentification of creatures in historical accounts. It focuses on an account by Father Zenobius Membré of an animal called 'michichibi' encountered by Henri de Tonty in Louisiana. The description, published by Andrés González de Barcia Carballido y Zúñiga, depicted a creature with the head of a lynx, the body of a deer, and the paws of a wildcat. Arment argues that this description, when compared to Membré's original French account, was likely a mistranslation. The original French suggests the animal was a mountain lion, not a wolf or a hybrid creature as implied by some interpretations. The article also touches on the misinterpretation of 'gray eagles' from the Ozarks, which were later identified as golden eagles.

Article 4: Strange Crustacean Folklore

Also by Chad Arment, this article explores folklore related to strange crustacean-like animals reported in the western United States and British Columbia. It presents three reports: one from a woman in Bremmerton, Washington, who described a large, bright orange shrimp-like animal in her basement; a legend from Wallowa Lake, Oregon, about large, dangerous crabs or lobsters; and folklore from British Columbia about small, venomous 'flies' or 'crabs' that locals called Xwoxwá:ya. Arment notes that these reports, while not considered strong evidence for unknown species, deserve attention from investigators.

Article 5: A Tale of Texas Skeletons

Authored by Chad Arment, this piece reports on unusual skeletal finds in Texas, based on a genealogy website and an article from January 1930. Dr. L. A. Chanslor of Killeen, Texas, reported uncovering skeletons in Coryell County that were unlike any known Native American remains, being short (under five feet) with broad hips and skulls, and receding foreheads, suggesting low intelligence. These skeletons crumbled to dust upon exposure to air. In contrast, another find in Bell County near Brookhaven involved three complete skeletons buried near a cliff. One of these skeletons, a male possibly 60 years old, was nearly seven feet tall and showed signs of a violent death, including fractures to the skull and femur. Dr. Chanslor reportedly kept the skull and femurs of this giant skeleton.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Strange Magazine include the exploration of the unexplained, the analysis of folklore and legends, and the critical examination of historical accounts and potential misinterpretations. The magazine appears to adopt a skeptical yet open-minded approach, presenting anecdotal evidence and folklore while also seeking rational explanations or highlighting the difficulties in interpreting past events and descriptions. The editorial stance encourages further investigation into these unusual reports, suggesting that even seemingly minor folklore or historical oddities warrant attention.