138 THE RAZOR-BACK. 



The length of the physalis is about 100 feet; its 

 greatest circumference 30 or 35. The body is not 

 cylindrical, but is considerably compressed on the 

 side, and angular at the back. A transverse sec- 

 tion near the tins is an oblong, and at the rump a 

 rhombus. The longest lamina of whalebone mea- 

 sures about four feet; it affords ten or twelve tons of 

 blubber. Its colour is a pale bluish black, or dark 

 bluish gray, in which it resembles the sucking mys- 

 ticetus. Besides the two pectoral fins, it has a small 

 horny protuberance, or rayless and immoveable fin, 

 on the extremity of the back. Its blowing is very 

 violent, and may be heard in calm weather, at the 

 distance of about a mile. It swims with a velocity at 

 the greatest of about twelve miles an hour. It is by 

 no means a timid animal, yet it does not appear to 

 be revengeful or mischievous. When closely pur- 

 sued by boats, it manifests little fear, and does not 

 attempt to outstrip them in the race; but merely en- 

 deavours to avoid them by diving or changing its 

 direction. If harpooned, or otherwise wounded, it 

 then exerts all its energies, and escapes with its ut- 

 most velocity, but shows little disposition to retaliate 

 on its enemies, or to repel their attacks by engaging 

 in a combat. Though at a distance the physalis is 

 sometimes mistaken by the whalers for the mysti- 

 cetus; yet its appearance and actions are so different, 

 that it may be generally distinguished. It seldom 

 lies quietly on the surface of the water when blow- 

 ing, but usually has a velocity of four or five miles 



