THE WHALES 



65 



produced in whalebone $12,000, and in oil $3490, or a 

 total of $15,490. The oil is produced from the fat, or 

 blubber, with which the whale is covered, a provision of 

 nature to protect it from the cold waters it affects, either in 

 the far north or sometimes in the deep sea into which it is 

 supposed at times to make sudden plunges after food. The 

 whalebone whales include the humpback, the CaHfornia 

 gray, sulphur bottom, silver bottom, razorback, the bow- 



FiG, 44. — The Sperm Whale. 



head, right whale, Biscay whale, and many others. All 

 depend upon the smallest animals for food, fishes or jelly- 

 fishes, and hence are obliged to pass a great part of their 

 lives in the pursuit of the elusive game. 



The toothed whales constitute a large and interesting 

 group, the great sperm whale (Fig. 44) being a notable 

 example. It has an enormous, blunt head, with large, tusk- 

 like teeth in the lower jaw, which suggests food of a differ- 

 ent nature from the fragile jellyfishes, which are ninety-five 

 per cent water. The principal food of the sperm whale is 



HOLDER, MAMMALS — 5 



