Antonio Mongitore was a Sicilian cleric, historian and writer who loved all things Sicilian. So when he heard about the existence of "monstri marini" (sea monsters) swimming in the coast of the island of Sicily in early 17 century, he set out to document the creature.
But how do you describe a gigantic creature of the sea that are whales? With these fantastic illustrations, of course!
Image: Sperm whale illustration in manuscript by Antonio Mongitore (1663-1743) General Research Division/New York Public Library - via USGS