Despite huge advancements in the field of science in the seventeenth century by such figures as Isaac Newton, books about fabled creatures were extremely popular; a juxtaposition existed between superstition and science. Alongside these new discoveries in mathematics, optics, and astronomy, there still lay in the shadows the existence of mythological creatures, demons, witches and a blending of magic and reality. One such fabled creature believed to exist was that of the dragons of the sea which would torment sailors.