54 THE ANIMALS OP NEW ZEALAND 



The Sperm Whale. — Paraoa. 



Fhyseter macroceplialus. 



Black above aud grey below. Length, from 55 to 60 feet. 



The sperm whale frequents tropical and sub-tropical seas, 

 although it was formerly very common off Stewart Island. It 

 feeds on both fish and cuttle-fish. It is one of the largest of the 

 cetaceans, its length being generally from 55 to 60 feet. It is an 

 ungainly creature, but is very valuable, chiefly on account of the 



The Sperm Whale. 



spermaceti, which is contained within the head in two large 

 special cavities, and also diffused through the blubber. These 

 whales are gregarious, and go about in "schools," each "school" 

 being generally led hj a few old males. Sperm whales have been 

 known to turn with great determination upon boats that were 

 pursuing them, and Captain Scammon states that they have 

 attacked even ships. According to Professor Beddard, the 

 cachalot, as it is sometimes called, will remain under water from 

 fifty minutes to an hour and a quarter. "When it spouts, it 

 does so for the space of about three seconds, and the column of 

 water ejected can be seen from the masthead at a distance of 

 three to five miles. The spouting of the sperm whale can be 

 readily distinguished from that of other whales owing to the fact 

 that the blowhole is single, and the column of breath condensed 

 is also a single fountain, not a double jet, as in other whales. 

 Moreover, as the blowhole is situated further forwards, than in 

 other whales, the jet is not directed upwards, but forwards." 

 The sperm whale swims at the rate of about ten miles an hour. 



