66 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [January 



by far the largest and most terrifying in the world. There can- 

 not be a doubt that they looked up to see what had happened 

 to Ponting and the dogs. 



The latter were horribly frightened and strained to their 

 chains, whining; the head of one killer must certainly have been 

 within 5 feet of one of the dogs. 



After this, whether they thought the game insignificant, or 

 whether they missed Ponting is uncertain, but the terrifying 

 creatures passed on to other hunting grounds, and we were able 

 to rescue the dogs, and what was even more important, our 

 petrol — 5 or 6 tons of which was waiting on a piece of ice 

 which was not split away from the main mass. 



Of course, we have known well that killer whales continually 

 skirt the edge of the floes and that they would undoubtedly snap 

 up anyone who was unfortunate enough to fall into the water; 

 but the facts that they could display such deliberate cunning, that 

 they were able to break ice of such thickness (at least 23^2 feet), 

 and that they could act in unison, were a revelation to us. It is 

 clear that they are endowed with singular intelligence, and in 

 future we shall treat that intelligence with every respect. 



Notes on the Killer or Grampus {Orca gladiator) 



One killed at Greenwich, 31 feet. 



Teeth about 2^ inches above jaw; about 3^ inches total 

 length. 



* British Quadrupeds ' — Bell: 



' The fierceness and voracity of the killer, in which it sur- 

 passes all other known cetaceans.' 



In stomach of a 21 ft. specimen were found remains of 13 

 porpoises and 14 seals. 



A herd of white whales has been seen driven into a bay and 

 literally torn to pieces. 



Teeth, large, conical, and slightly recurved, 11 or 12 on each 

 side of either jaw. 



' M annuals ' — Flower and I.ydekker: 



' Distinguished from all their allies by great strength and 

 ferocity.' 



' Combine in packs to hunt down and destroy . . . full sized 

 whales.' 



