DELPHINID.^: 39 



of body 3 feet 6 inches. Circumference of body 8 feet 9 inches. 

 Expansion of flukes 3 feet 6 inches. Breadth of flukes i foot. From 

 end of head to spout hole i foot 6 inches. End of head to dorsal fin 

 4 feet 6 inches. Length of pectorals 2 feet 10 inches. Length 

 of spout hole across the head 4 inches. The spout hole is of half 

 circular shape opening like a valve when tlie spout ascends, clos- 

 ing- as it escapes. The number of teeth on each side of the upper 

 jaw varies from ten to twelve, in the lower jaw from eiglit to 

 ten; the exposed parts from one-fourth to three-fourths of an 

 inch long. 



"From all we can learn of their breeding habits they bring 

 forth their young at any time, or in any part of the ocean as 

 necessity may require. Off the coast of Guatemala, in February, 

 1853, ^a calf taken from one was three feet long, the mother 

 measuring thirteen feet. In the same school it was taken from 

 we saw several young ones about the same size as that above 

 mentioned. 



"The Blackfish is taken for its oil, which is, however, much 

 inferior to that of the Sperm Whale. The yield is small, from 

 ten gallons to ten barrels. The blubber varies in thickness from 

 one inch to ten inches ; its color is white. The flesh of the Black- 

 fish is like coarse beef, and after being exposed to the air a few 

 days, then properly cooked, is by no means unsavory food. The 

 same may be said of the different species of Porpoises. Form- 

 erly Blackfish were found in large numbers on the coast of Lower 

 California, but, probably from the same cause as made mention 

 c; ncerning Sperm Whales, these grounds are now but little fre- 

 quented by them." (Scammon). 



Genus Grampus Gray. (Great fish.) 



Dorsal fin long, high, curved ; pectoral fins long, narrow, 

 curved; head globose; mouth oblique; rostrum short and broad; 

 teeth two to seven, in front half of lower jaw only; vertebrae 

 68. 



