THE SPERMACETI WHALE. 153 



performed leisurely, and one that distinguishes this Irom 

 most other species of Cetacea. This evolution is not, 

 however, invariably performed, since, when tranquilly 

 feeding, or carelessly avoiding a boat, the cachalot will 

 descend very gradually, lowering itself, or, as it is tech- 

 nically termed, "settling down." 



The ordinary length of time which the cachalot remains 

 under water, when alarmed or wounded, is three-quarters 

 of an hour, but in some instances the time has extended, 

 it is said, to an hour and a quarter. 



The chase of this animal is very hazardous, for 

 although generally the troop fly on the appearance of 

 danger, yet, when one is wounded, the others often come 

 to the rescue, especially in the case of the females, which 

 assist each other ; while the males, as Mr. Bennett 

 affirms, commonly make a speedy retreat. One of the 

 latter, however, if attacked and infuriated, is extremely 

 formidable, and will rush with immense velocity, head 

 foremost, against a boat, shivering it to pieces, or, lash- 

 ing with its tail, will cut it asunder, scattering the hap- 

 less mariners, some, perhaps, struck dead, others maimed, 

 on the surface of the rolling ocean. Occurrences of this 

 kind are indeed numerous, and many a thrilling narra- 

 tive of the " hair-breadth 'scapes," and of loss of men and 

 boats, in the close encounter with this giant of the 

 waters, can an old South Sea whaler tell, and many have 

 been recorded, which of themselves would fill a goodly 

 and not uninteresting volume. Not only are the boats 

 in jeopardy, but the '' whaling vessel" itself is not secure : 

 — Mr. Bell refers to an authenticated instance of an 

 American ship of large size being stove in and foundered 

 by a blow from a gigantic male cachalot rushing head 

 foremost against it. 



The food of the cachalot consists of seals, and fishes of 

 a large size, which it pursues with great pertinacity ; but 

 it would appear that a large species of cuttle-fish ( Octopus) 

 forms its principal nutriment. 



We have already noticed the magnitude of the head 

 of the present species, and we may here observe that this 

 magnitude is not owing to any extraordinary develop- 



