Squonk

The Squonk is a mythical creature reputed to live in the Hemlock forests of northern Pennsylvania in the United States.[1]

For the performance art company, see Squonk Opera. For the song by Genesis, see Squonk (song).
Squonk
Illustration from "Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods"
GroupingCryptid
FolkloreAmerican Folklore
First attested1910
Other name(s)Lacrimacorpus dissolvens
CountryUSA
RegionPennsylvania[1]

Origins

Although the earliest written account of the Squonk was from the 1910 book "Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods", there are no records of the tale being told in Pennsylvania before the book's publication.[2] The next written iteration, from the 1939 book "Fearsome Critters", suggested that the creatures had migrated from deserts, to swamps, to finally settle in Pennsylvania.[3] As logging camps were continuously moving in the early 20th century, this could explain the "creature's" migration to Pennsylvania.[2]

Appearance and Behaviour

Unlike many mythological creatures, the supposed physical characteristics of the Squonk remain unchanged from the original written account, which states:

The squonk is of a very retiring disposition, generally traveling about at twilight and dusk. Because of its misfitting skin, which is covered with warts and moles, it is always unhappy...Hunters who are good at tracking are able to follow a squonk by its tear-stained trail, for the animal weeps constantly. When cornered and escape seems impossible, or when surprised and frightened, it may even dissolve itself in tears.

— William T. Cox, "The Squonk", Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods (1910)[1]

Later retellings included that Squonks were slowest on moonlit nights, as they try to avoid seeing their ugly appearance in any illuminated bodies of water. In addition to the warts and moles, the creatures were given webbed toes on their left feet.[3]

The given 'species' taxonomy of the creature, Lacrimacorpus dissolvens, is made up of the Latin tear, body, and dissolve. These refer to its supposed ability to dissolve when captured.[2]

In Scientific Literature

Some substances are stable in solution or some other "wild" form but cannot be isolated or captured without actually catalyzing their own polymerization or decomposition ("dissolving in their own tears"). For example, a molecule containing a carboxylic acid moiety and an acid labile moiety might be stable when initially prepared as the salt (e.g., barium prephenate) but unstable as the free acid (prephenic acid). These have been named 'chemical squonks' as a nod to the creature.[4]

  • The third track on Genesis's 1976 album A Trick of the Tail is titled "Squonk". The song recounts the legend of the hunter who captured a squonk, and the creature is described as having a retiring disposition.[5]
  • Playwright Daniel Caffrey's play Gregor and the Squonk is loosely based on the tale of J. P. Wentling. Initially written for the short play festival at Florida State University, it was later mounted at Bailiwick Repertory Theatre in Fall 2008, by Tympanic Theatre Company.[6]

References
  1. Cox, William T. (1910). Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods. Washington DC: Judd & Detweiler, Inc. pp. 30–31.
  2. O'Neil, Gerard (2014). Supernatural Lore of Pennsylvania: Ghosts, Monsters and Miracles. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781625850263.
  3. Tryon, Henry (1939). Fearsome Critters. Cornwall, New York: Idlewild Press. pp. 48–49.
  4. Sommer, T. J. (2000). "Chemical squonks The chemical squonk disappears before you can catch it, leaving behind a tantalizing trail of clues". Chemical Innovation. American Chemical Society: 24–28. ISSN 1527-4799.
  5. A Trick of the Tail (Media notes). Charisma Records. 1976. CDS 4001.
  6. Gregor and the Squonk at the Bailiwick, Fall 2008
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