17* THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 



own order, the Physeter Microps, or Small-eyed 

 Cachalot, which pursues them with indefatigable per- 

 severance, devouring them with amazing rapacity. 

 Bingley states that one of these animals will yield about 

 a hogshead of oil. 



In America, the skin of this animal is tanned and 

 dressed with considerable care. At first it is nearly an 

 inch thick ; but it is shaved down till it is quite thin and 

 becomes somewhat transparent. It is made by the in- 

 habitants into waistcoats and breeches, and said also to 

 make an excellent covering for carriages. 



The porpoise being the most common, and easier ob- 

 tained than the other species of the cetacea, has been 

 more accurately examined, as to its structure and 

 general characters. 



The annexed engraving will give the reader some idea 

 of the skeleton of this animal, and show its affinity to 

 that of the Balse noptera Rorqual. 



SPECIES II. 



DELPHINUS DIDELPHIS, 



OR 



THE COMMON DOLPHIN. 



The body of the Delphinus Didelphis or Dolphin* is 

 nearly oval. The figure of this animal has been greatly 



* Synonymes. — Le Dauphin ou Oye de Mer. Belon. Hist, des Poissons. 

 Delphinus Antiguorum. Willoughby and Ray. Delphinus Corpore 

 longo sublenti, rostra lungo-acuto. Artedi Synop. Delphin. Anderson. 

 Dolphin. Borlase, Pennant and Shaw. Dauphin V id gaire. La Cepede. 



