Despite centuries of alleged sightings, no Loch Ness monsters or sea serpents have ever been found. But in the 1600s, the specimen of a curious long-necked creature emerged that could explain where such aquatic tall tales may have originated - if only it hadn't been mislaid. In the late 17th century, the botanist Nehemiah Grew published a catalogue of oddities held by the Royal Society in London. The book, calledMusaeum regalis societatis, contains the first scientific description of a skin belonging to an unusual seal. He writes: "Wherein he principally differs, is the length of his neck; for, from his nose-end to his forefeet, and from thence to his tail, are the same measure." By contrast, most seal necks are only about a half the length of their lower body.
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机译：尽管涉嫌目击事件已有数百年之久，但从未发现尼斯湖怪兽或海蛇。但是在1600年代，出现了一个好奇的长颈动物的标本，该标本可以解释这种水生动物的故事可能起源于哪里-如果没有把它放错地方的话。在17世纪后期，植物学家尼希米·格鲁（Nehemiah Grew）发表了伦敦皇家学会（Royal Society）持有的古怪物品目录。这本书被称为“ Musaeum regalis societatis”，其中包含对不寻常海豹皮的首次科学描述。他写道：“他的主要区别在于脖子的长度；因为从鼻端到前额，从那里到尾巴，都是相同的尺寸。”相比之下，大多数海豹颈只有下半身的一半左右。
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