On 
Porpotse. 3 
The Porpoise (Phocena communis, or P. phoceena) is the 
smallest and most common of the Cetaceans found in 
the seas around the British Isles; and it also frequents the 
Scandinavian coasts, entering the Baltic in summer, and ranging 
as far north as Baffin’s Bay, and west to the shores of the United 
States. Southward it is met with as far as the Azores, and 
occasionally, though rarely, enters the Mediterranean. The Black 
Sea Porpoise has, however, been described as a distinct species, 
P. relicta. On the other hand, specimens similar to, if not 
Porpoise. 
Hie. 227 
The Porpoise (Phocena communis). 
About ;1, natural size. 
Fic. 23. 
Skull of the Porpoise. 
About + natural size. 
specifically identical with, the ordinary Porpoise have been 
described from the mouth of the Rio de la Plata and the American 
coast of the North Pacific. The Porpoise (fig. 22) is sociable 
and gregarious in its habits, being usually seen in small herds. — It 
feeds on fishes, suchas mackerel, pilchards, and herrings, of which 
it devours large quantities, and, following the shoals, is often caught 
by fishermen in their nets. It is represented in the building by 
the cast of a complete specimen taken on the Atlantic coast of 
North America, and also by the model of a head. Both were 
presented by the United States National Museum. Together with 
Dp 2 
