THE CALIFORNIA GBAY WHALE. 25 
" Mussel - digger." "Devil-fish" is significant of the danger incurred in the pursuit 
of the animal. "Gray -back" is indicative of its color, and "Rip -sack" originated 
with the manner of flensing. 
As the season approaches for the whales to bring forth their young, which is 
from December to March, they formerly collected at the most remote extremities of 
the lagoons, and huddled together so thickly that it was difficult for a boat to cross 
the waters without coming in contact with them. Repeated instances have been 
known of their getting aground and lying for several hours in but two or throe 
feet of water, without apparent injury from resting heavily on the sandy bottom, 
until the rising tide floated them. In the Bay of Monterey they have been seen 
rolling, with apparent delight, in the breakers along the beach. 
In February, 1856, we found two whales aground in Magdalena Bay. Each 
had a calf playing about, there being sufficient depth for the young ones, while the 
mothers were lying hard on the bottom. When attacked, the smaller of the two 
old whales lay motionless, and the boat approached near enough to "set" the 
hand -lance into her "life," dispatching the animal at a single dart. The other, 
when approached, would raise her head and flukes above the water, supporting her- 
self on a small portion of the belly, tui'ning easily, and heading toward the boat, 
which made it very difficult to capture her. It appears to be their habit to get 
into the shallowest inland waters when their cubs are young. For this reason the 
whaling -ships anchor at a considerable distance from where the crews go to hunt 
the animals, and several vessels are often in the same lagoon. 
The first streak of dawn is the signal for lowering the boats, all pulling for 
the head -waters, where the whales are expected to be found. As soon as one is 
seen, the officer who first discovers it sets a "waif" (a small flag) in his boat, and 
gives chase. Boats belonging to other vessels do not interfere, but go in search of 
other whales. "When pursuing, great care is taken to keep behind, and a short 
distance from the animal, until it is driven to the extremity of the lagoon, or into 
shoal water ; then the men in the nearest boats spring to their oars in the exciting 
race, and the animal, swimming so near the bottom, has its progress impeded, 
thereby giving its pursuers a decided advantage : although occasionally it will sud- 
denly change its course, or "dodge," which frequently prolongs the chase for hours, 
disposed of. The quantity found in any one we are convinced that mussels have been found 
individual would not exceed a barrelful. in the maws of the California Grays; but as 
From the testimony of several whaling-men yet, from our own observations, we have not 
whom we regard as interested and careful ob- been able to establish the fact of what their 
servers, together with our own investigations, principal sustenance consists. 
Makine Mammals. — 4. 
