THE WHALES 



6i 



just above the tail, where the water boiled as though an 

 enormous wheel was working just below the surface; the 

 water being forced upward so 

 violently that it rose above 

 the surface, and doubtless 

 lifted the boat somewhat. 



The whales breathe air as 

 other mammals, but they have 

 a provision which enables 

 them to remain over an hour 

 beneath the surface if neces- 

 sary. This peculiar power, 

 which is rarely exerted, is de- 

 rived from a large number of 

 reserve blood vessels, which 

 line the interior of the chest 

 and spaces between the ribs, 

 a small portion only of the 

 blood passing into circulation 

 from time to time. The nose 

 or nostrils of the whale are 

 placed at the top of the head 

 so that it can breathe without 

 rising out of the water. 



The spout of the whale is 

 not water but steam, — the 

 hot air of the lungs, forcibly 

 shot into the cold air, where 

 it condenses and falls as 

 spray. With this air there is 

 mucus and some water tossed 



