544 THE GRAMPUS. 
the abdomen and part of the sides. There is generally a white patch of considerable 
size immediately above and rather behind the eyelid. 
The name Grampus appears to be a corruption of the French word “ Grand-poisson,” 
just as porpoise is a transmuted form of “ porc-poisson.” 
Although it sometimes wanders into more southern regions, its favoured home is in 
the northern seas that wash the coasts of Greenland and Spitzbergen, where it congregates 
in small herds. It is a very wolf in its constant hunger, and commits great havoc among 
the larger fish, such as the cod, the skate, and the halibut, caring little for the smaller fry; 
At times it is said to make systematic attacks on seals, by startling them from their 
slumber as they lie sunning themselves on the rocks or ice, and seizing them as the half- 
sleeping animals plunge instinctively into the sea. Even the smaller porpoises and 
dolphins fall victims to the insatiable appetite of the Grampus, as has been proved by 
the discovery of their remains in the dissected stomach of one of these animals. ; 
Tt has been frequently seen on the British coasts, and on more than one occasion has 
been killed in the rivers which it had ascended in chase of its prey. 
GRAMPUS.—Delphinus Grampus. 
A Grampus was captured nearly opposite Greenwich Hospital in 1772, and was so 
swift and powerful, that after it had been struck with three harpoons, and covered with 
lance wounds, it twice dragged the boat from Blackwall to Greenwich, and once ran as 
far as Deptford, going at a rate of eight miles per hour against the tide. The struggles 
of the wounded animal were so formidable, that none of the boats could approach it. 
Several other specimens of this animal have been caught in the same river at different 
times, one being twenty-four feet in length, and another measuring more than thirty feet. 
The Frith of Forth seems to be a favourite spot for these errant cetacea, which are 
evidently attracted by the salmon and other fresh-water fish which may be found in those 
waters. 
It is said that the Grampuses are fond of amusing themselves by mobbing the G reenland 
whale, just as the little birds mob owls when they venture forth in the daytime, and that 
they persecute it by leaping out of the water and striking it sharply with their tails as 
they descend. The Americans, in consequence, have called it by the name of Thresher, 
or Killer. The sword-fish is reported to join the Thresher in this amusement, and to 
prevent the whale from diving by attacking it from below. Whatever credence may be 
given to the latter part of the story, the former is certainly true, and is corroborated by 
Captain Scott, who telis me that he has often seen the Thresher engaged in this strange 
