54 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



Sometimes they are seen among the breakers on the bars which front harbor 

 mouths, darting through or along the crest of the rollers as if excited into 

 unusual action by the dashing waves surrounding them. 



They feed on small fish, and are occasionally taken in the seines that are 

 hauled about the shores of San Francisco Bay by the Italian fishermen. 



BOTTLENOSE GRAMPUS. 



The Bottlenose Grampus is probably the largest of the species of Cetaceans 

 reckoned among the Dolphin or Porpoise family. Its color approaches nearer 

 to brown than black. The fin on the back is comparatively small, angular 

 in shape, with the longest side attached to the body, and placed much nearer 

 the caudal fin than on other species. The name Bottlenose is said to have 

 been given it by reason of the head resembling the upper portion and neck of 

 a junk-bottle ; if so, from our observation of them (which was many times, 

 from the vessel's deck or masthead) in their different natural positions, the 

 bottle must have been one with a very large but exceedingly short neck; still 

 the comparison is not inappropriate. The Grampus has habits such as nearly 

 preclude capture, and but little is known about its peculiarities. They are 

 generally seen two or three together, "rounding" to "go down" as soon as 

 coming to the top of the water and spouting, and when rising to the surface 

 the next time may be beyond view. It is said they have been taken with a 

 line upward of three hundred fathoms long. 



The largest of the species are not less than twenty-five feet long, and other- 

 Avise of similar proportions with the Blackfish. The head appears to be inter- 

 mediate between that of the Blackfish and Porpoise, having a shoi*t snout, or 

 round-pointed beak. 



I met with a related species on the coast of Lower California, in July and 

 August. 



An exception to this, however, occurred on the coast in July and August, 

 1856, between Cape St. Lucas and Cerros Island, at which time we saw large 

 numbers of them going in schools, ten, twenty or thirty together, nearly all 

 being of the largest growth, and their actions were a good imitation of a 

 school of small sperm whales — spouting several times up, and only remaining 

 down the usual time of sperm whales of their apparent size. Several fruit- 

 less trials were made to capture one. In two instances the harpoon was fast- 

 ened effectually, and the consequence was that the animal immediately dived 

 down with great velocity, each taking a line in its descent one hundred and 

 fifty fathoms long almost before the boats' crews knew what they were 

 about. 



In March, 1853, off Panama Bay, on board the bark Rio Grande, we cap- 

 tured what was supposed to be two small Blackfish, but on making an exami- 

 nation concluded that they were a species of Grampus. 



Our notes are as follow: Length of largest one, 10 feet. Fin on back in 

 same place as the Blackfish. Shape of fin — upper end more pointed, and the 

 whole fin taking nearer the form of the dorsal fin of the common Porpoise. 

 Body less in circumference in proportion to length than the Blackfish. 



Form of head somewhat pointed, approaching to a beak. Color a uniform 

 black. Average thickness of blubber about an inch, and quite red ; the oil 

 when extracted retained the same cast, and appeared watery. 



The jaws were narrower at the base, more elongated, but furnished with 

 teeth like those of the Blackfish. 



FINBACK OR COMMON PORPOISE. 



The Finback or common Porpoise is ordinarily — feet long, and its body 

 of similar proportions with the Right-whale and Bay Porpoise. Its dorsal fin 

 is longer and more pointed in proportion to its size than that of the Bay Por- 

 poise. Its color on back and sides blackish-brown. Belly white or yellow- 



[April, 



