36 CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



and names being founded on these notes and Captain Scammon's 

 drawings. 



"The Orca — a cetaceous animal commonly known as the 

 Killer — is one of the largest members of the Dolphin family. 

 The length of the males may average twenty feet and the females 

 fifteen feet. The body is covered with a coating of white fat, 

 or blubber, yielding a pure, transparent oil. An extremely promi- 

 nent dorsal fin, placed about two-fifths of the length of the body 

 from the animal's beak, distinguishes it from all other Dolphins. 

 In the largest species this prominent upper limb stands quite 

 erect, reaches the height of six feet and frequently turns over 

 sideways at the extremity. In the animals of more moderate 

 size the fin is broader at the base, less in altitude, and is slightly 

 curved backward, while upon others it is shorter still, and broader 

 in proportion at its juncture with the back, and is more falcated. 

 It is usually in color jet black above and lighter below; yet 

 many of inferior size are most beautifully variegated, the colors 

 being almost as vividly contrasted as the tiger of Ind'ia. Some 

 individuals Jiave a clear white spot, of oblong shape, just behind 

 the eyes, and a maroon band, of nearly crescent shape, adorning" 

 the back behind the dorsal fin, which it more than half encircles. 



"The habits of the Killers exhibit a boldness and cunning 

 peculiar to tlieir carnivorous propensities. At times they are 

 seen in schools, undulating- over the waves — two, three, six or 

 eight abreast — and with the long, pointed fins above their arched 

 backs, together with their varied marks and colors, they present 

 a pleasing and somewhat military aspect. Three or four of these 

 voracious animals do -not hesitate to grapple with the largest 

 baleen whale ; and it is surprising to see the leviathan of the deep 

 so completely paralyzed by the presence of their natural, though 

 diminutive enemies. Frequently the terrified animal — compara- 

 tively of enormous size and superior strength evinces no effort 

 to escape, but lies in a helpless condition, or makes but little 

 resistance to its merciless destroyers. The attack of these wolves 

 of the ocean upon their gigantic prey may be likened, in some 



