ABSTRACT
Scotland is still home to a famous water apparition, the Loch Ness Monster, which is in many ways a rationalization of ancient mystical beasts. Closely related to water-spirit legends are the countless tales of sunken bells that continue their ghostly tolling from beneath the water. A typical legend of underwater seduction is "The Sea Nymph" from Sweden. Scotland is still home to a famous water apparition, the Loch Ness Monster, which is in many ways a rationalization of ancient mystical beasts. Water bulls, fierce amphibious creatures that often caused the death of domestic cows, were reported on the Isle of Man and in Scotland and Norway well into the nineteenth century. The inherent and obvious danger of water has led to supernatural explanations for mishaps of all types. Some such supernatural explanations are nothing more than bugbears, fictitious creatures invented by adults to frighten children into avoiding dangerous places.
