[ London Times ]


This newspaper, most correctly known simply as The Times, began publication in 1785 and continues to this day.


The edition of May 12 1820, carried a brief news item about a strange new fish that had recently been caught:

Last week some fishermen trawling in Emsworth-harbour caught a fish called "The Lioness." The resemblance it bears to that animal is in its claws and the roar of its voice. With a mouth full of teech, its tongue is like a Newfoundland dog's; the tail spreads like a fan, and, when expanded, is 10 inches wide. The men have brought it here for exhibition.



This same incident was reported, verbatim except for a slight change to the final sentence, in Sporting Magazine for May, 1820 (p. 99)




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.london times