valuable in European markets, have also their uses among them.

From the great size of the animal one would suppose that its motions would be sluggish and inactive, but this is far from being the case. A whale extended motionless on the surface of the sea can, in the space of five or six seconds, sink beyond the reach of its human enemies. When struck by the harpoon, which is used to capture them, they have been known to carry with them line to the depth of an English mile, and with such velocity, that when drawn up by the line attached, they have been found with the jawbones broken by the blow struck against the bottom. When the whale feeds it swims with considerable velocity below the surface of the sea, with its jaws widely extended; a stream of water consequently enters its capacious mouth, and along with it large quantities of cuttle fish, sea blubber, shrimps, and other marine animals; the water escapes at the sides of the mouth, but the food is entangled and sifted, as it were, in the whalebone, which, from its compact arrangement, and the thick internal

covering of hair, does not allow a particle to escape.

The whale has but one young cub at a birth, when it is said to be from ten to fourteen feet in length. The mother suckles it for about a year, or until the whalebone enables it to procure its own nourishment; at this time it is called by the sailors Short-head; at two years old, Stunt.

The maternal affection shown by the whale for its offspring is peculiarly striking and interesting. The cub, not being sensible of danger, is frequently a snare to its mother; for when her offspring is struck by the harpoon, she joins it at the surface of the water whenever it rises to breathe; she encourages it to swim off, assists its flight by taking it under her fin, and seldom deserts it while life remains; she is then dangerous to approach, but affords frequent opportunities for attack, as she loses all regard for her own safety in anxiety for the preservation of her young, and rarely escapes being captured. The most insensible of her enemies cannot but be struck with the degree of affectionate regard thus shown by the whale for its

offspring; but we fear the object of the adventure, the value of the prize, and the joy of the capture, overcomes all feelings of compassion. The whale is so timid a creature, that a bird alighting on its back causes it to set off in great agitation. Man is doubtless its most formidable enemy, but it is also subject to annoyance from sharks and the sword-fish. The sword-fish is sufficiently active to avoid the tremendous blows it might receive from the animal's tail, one of which would inevitably destroy it; the noise made at each blow is said to be louder than a cannon. The sea may be seen dyed with the blood that issues from the wounds made in the whale's belly by the beak of his adversary. The fishermen, in calm weather, frequently lie on their oars to watch the combat, till they perceive the whale at his last gasp; they then row towards him, and the enemy retiring at their approach, they enjoy the fruits of his victory. Whales avoid the seas where sharks abound, and evince, by marks occasionally found on their tails, a strong evidence that they have been bitten by them. A living whale may be annoyed, though

it can scarcely be supposed to be ever overcome by a shark; but a dead whale is an easy prey, and affords a fine banquet to this insatiable creature.

Whales are furnished with lungs, and are under the necessity of approaching the surface of the water at intervals to respire in the air. The blood is warmer than in the human species.

The largest of the whale tribe is the balana physalis, or razor-back whale, probably the most powerful and bulky of all created beings. In length the razor-back is about 100 feet; its greatest circumference is thirty or thirty-five. Its blowing is very violent, it may be heard in calm weather at the distance of a mile. It swims with great swiftness, sometimes at the rate of ten or twelve miles an hour. When closely pursued by boats, it manifests but little fear, and does not attempt to outstrip them in the race, but endeavours to avoid them, by diving or changing its course. If harpooned, or otherwise wounded, it then exerts all its energies, and escapes with its utmost velocity. Its great speed and activity render it a difficult and dangerous object of attack; and as it affords but a

small quantity of inferior oil, and but little whalebone, it is unworthy the general attention of the fishers. When struck, it frequently drags the fastboat with such velocity through the water, that it is liable to be carried immediately beyond the reach of assistance, and soon out of sight both of boats and ship. Hence the striker is frequently under the necessity of cutting the line, and sacrificing his employer's property to secure the safety of himself and his companions.

The smallest of the whale family is Balæna Rostrata, or beaked whale. One captured in Scalpa Bay was in length seventeen and a half feet, and in circumference twelve. It is said to grow, in the Norwegian seas, to the length of twenty-five feet. The seas that are principally inhabited by the great whales are those near Spitzbergen and Greenland. They are likewise found in the seas of the high southern latitudes, and are said to visit the shores even of countries near the torrid zone. They have been observed in the Mediterranean, and occasionally in the neighbourhood of the British coasts. Professor Tennant