I hope that some competent observer may inform us of what animals these and the lindwurm at Bruenn are the remains. It has struck me as possible that the real history of these crocodiles or alligators, if they are such, may be, that they were brought home by crusaders as specimens of dragons, just as Henry the Lion, Duke of Brunswick, brought from the Holy Land the antelope's horn which had been palmed upon {41} him as a specimen of a griffin's claw, and which may still be seen in the cathedral of that city. That they should afterwards be fitted with appropriate legends, is not surprising. Some years since, when walking down the valley of St. Nicholas, on the south side of the Valais, my guide, a native of the valley, pointed out to me a wood on the mountain side, and told me that therein dwelt great serpents, about 24 feet long, which carried off lambs from the pastures. He had, however, never seen one of these monsters, but had only seen those who had, and I failed in procuring any testimony of a more decisive character. My guide, however, affirmed that their existence was generally believed in the valley. N. * * * * * ORIGIN OF THE FAMILY NAME OF BACON. (Vol. ii., p. 247.) The Query proposed by NOCAB evidently possesses some interest, having already elicited two or three replies. I trust, therefore, I shall be excused for submitting yet another solution, which appears to me more satisfactory, if not _conclusive_. The answers to such questions are for the most part merely ingenious _conjectures_; but these to be of weight, should be supported by antiquarian learning. They claim perhaps more regard when they seem to elucidate collateral difficulties; but are of most value when _authenticated_ by independent evidence, especially the evidence of _documents_ or of _facts_. Fortunately, in the case before us, all these desiderata are supplied. Old Richard Verstegan, famous for Saxon lore and archaeological research, explains it thus:-- "Bacon, _of the Beechen tree_, anciently called BUCON; and, whereas swinesflesh is now called by the name of BACON, it grew only at the first unto such as were fatted with BUCON or _beechmast_."--Chap. ix. p. 299.