The Grampus:] O F O R K N E Y . ] 65 



Species 2. — The Grampus. 



Ralaena minor utraque maxilla dentata, Sib. Phal. 17. ffil. Icth. 40. liaii 

 Syn. Pise. 15. Delphinus Orca, Lin. Sys, 108. Brit. Zool. 5A. 



These are found in great numbers on all the coasts, espe- 

 cially those of Shetland. They are seen at certain times in 

 the mouth of Hoy Sound, and no doubt elsewhere round the 

 country. 



They seem to be very frolicksome, jumping about and tum- 

 bling at a strange rate, sometimes very high above Avater. 

 All authors agree these are very voracious fishes ; Sir Robert 

 Sibbald, in his Phalainologia, gives us many observations on 

 their fierceness. He tells us the whales, these vast animals 

 whose bulk and strength, one would imagine, would secure 

 them from all attempts from the brutal creation, are not safe 

 from this far from despicable enemy, who will fasten on them, 

 and make them roar like baited bulls. He observes, that they 

 may be the occasion of so many whales being thrown ashore ] 

 that, flying from their avowed enemy, they run themselves un- 

 awares into the shallows, or kill themselves on the rocks. 



The length of this species is various, being from fifteen to 

 twenty-five feet, very thick in proportion, one of eighteen 

 feet, as Mr Pennant tells us, being in the thickest place ten 

 feet in diameter. 



The nose is flat, and turns up at the end ; there are thirty 

 teeth in each jaw ; those before are blunt, round, and slender, 



