164 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 



Its flesh is esteemed as a great delicacy by the Es- 

 quimaux, and the natives of East Greenland and Davis's 

 Straits ; it yields a quantity of spermaceti, but very little 

 oil. 



The Count La Cepede supposes this animal to have 

 been the sea monster, from which Perseus delivered the 

 fair Andromeda ; and he labours to prove that the Orca 

 described by Pliny as having been attacked in the port 

 of Ostea, by the Emperor Claudian at the head of his 

 troops, was not a Grampus, as is commonly supposed, 

 but on the contrary a Physeter Microps. 



SPECIES VI. 



THE PHYSETER MULAR, 



OR 



THE GREAT FINNED CACHALOT* 



This species is distinguished by a very elevated fin, 

 situated on the middle of the back. The teeth are 

 slightly curved and obtuse. 



According to Mons. Brisson, this Cachalot resembles 

 the preceding in the formation and general structure of its 

 body. It however differs in the form of the teeth, which 

 are less curved, and are obtuse. The longest, which are 

 eight inches in length, and nine inches in circumference, 

 occupy the front of the jaw. The others are only six 

 inches long. Sometimes the teeth are found to be hol- 

 low, and sometimes they are solid. A question here 

 arises, which like many others in Natural History is 

 difficult of solution. Is this anatomical difference owing 

 to the age of the individuals in which it is observed? 

 Beside the pectoral fins, that which is placed on the back 



* Synonymes. — Le Cachalot Mulur. % Bonnaterre. Great Finned 

 Cachalot. Dewhurst. 



