DELPHINID.E 41 



is more blunt, in point of color it is greenish black on its upper 

 surface, lightened oil the sides with broad longitudinal stripes of 

 white, gray and dull black, which in most examples run into each 

 other, but bellow it is a pearly or snowy wJiite. The posterior 

 edge of the dorsal fin is tipped with dull white or gray, and some- 

 times the flanks are marked in the same manner. 



"We have observed that this species has a wider range, con- 

 gregates in larger numbers, and exhibits more activity than any 

 other member of the dolphin family. They are seen, in numbers 

 from a dozen up to many hundreds, tumbling over the surface 

 of the sea, or making arching leaps, plunging again on the same 

 curve, or darting high and falling sidewise upon the water with 

 a spiteful splash, accompanied by a report that may be heard some 

 distance. When a brisk bireeze is blowing they frequentiy play 

 cbout the bow of a ship going at her utmost speed, darting across 

 the cutwater and shooting- ahead, or circling around the vessel, 

 apparently sporting at ease. 



"The Striped Porpoises are often seen in considerable num- 

 bers about the large bays and lagoons along thiis coast, that 

 have no fresh water running into them. They abound more 

 alor.g the coasts where small fish are found than in midocean, ai 

 they principally prey upon the smaller finny tribes ; and to obtain 

 them shoot swiftly through the water, seizing the object of their 

 pursuit with the slightest effort. Occasionally a large number O'f 

 them will get intO' a schooil of fish, frigJitening themi so that they 

 will dart around in all directions, and finally get so bewildered 

 as to loose nearly all control over their movements. At such 

 times the Striped Porpoise is manifestly the 'sea swine', filling 

 itself to repiletion." (Scammon). 



Genus Delphinus Linneus. (Dolphin.) 

 Dorsal and pectoral fins long, rather narrow, curved ; a dis- 

 tinct depression across the head in front of forehead ; rostrum 

 nearly twice as long as cranium, narrow; teeth 47 to 65, narrow , 

 small ; vertebrae 73 to 76. 



