CHAPTER V. 

 THE DOLPHINS. 



THE DELPHIN'ID/E — THE SOOSOOK OR DOLPHIN OF THE GANGES — THE INIA OF THE AMAZON 

 RIVKR — THE TUCUXI — THE DOLPHINS PROPER — LEGENDS — SYMBOLS — THE COMMON DOLPHIN — 

 THE WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHIN — THE BOTTLE-NOSED DOLPHIN. 



THE family Delphinid.e comprehends the Porpoises, Dolphins, 

 and White Whales, all of which may be described as small fish- 

 shaped whales with teeth in both jaws. The two breathing- 

 holes are, as a rule, united together so as to form a single crescent-shaped 

 aperture set transversel)' on the crown of the head : the body is usually 

 slongated, the head small, the snout prominent and often pointed ; a 

 dorsal fin is usually present. 



Members of the Dolphin family are found in all seas, and are the only 

 Cetaceans which ascend high into rivers, or pass the greater part of their 

 lives in them and the lakes which are connected with them. They are 

 all social in a very high degree ; many species indeed form very large 

 bands, which traverse the seas in company for days and weeks together. 

 The smaller species often form troops in alliance with some one or more 

 of their kindred species, and pursue their quest for food in common. 

 The liveliness of all members of the family, their sportiveness, and the 

 absence of all dread of mankind have rendered them in all ages favorites 

 of sailors and poets. 



Nearly all the Delphinidas swim with extraordinary skill and rapidity, 

 and are thus well qualified to catch fish. They are the most terrible of 

 sea-robbers, attacking even the huge whale and mastering it by their 

 persevering courage. Their food usually consists of cephalopods, mol- 

 lusca, Crustacea, or radiata, but some feed on sea-weed, and will even eat 

 fruit, which they pluck from the boughs which overhang rivers. They 

 are all rapacious, greedy, and cruel. They consume whatever can be 

 eaten ; even the young of their own or allied species fall victims to their 



