THE SPERM WHALE. 77 
around from side to side with its flakes, to ascertain whether there is any object 
within reach. At other times, when at play, it will elevate its flukes high in the 
air, then strike them clown with great force, which raises the water into spray 
and foam about it; this is termed "lobtailing." Oftentimes it descends a few 
fathoms beneath the waves ; then, giving a powerful shoot nearly out of the water 
at an angle of forty -five degrees or less, falls on its side, or leaps bodily out in a 
semi -lateral attitude, coming down with a heavy splash, producing a pyramid of 
foam which may be seen from the mast-head, on a clear day, at least ten miles, 
and is of great advantage to the whaler in searching for his prey. These singular 
antics of the Sperm Whale are said to be performed in order to rid itself of a 
troublesome parasite, known among the whale - fishers by the name of "Suckfish;" 
but the animal is seldom infested with the parasitic Crustacea which are indigenous 
to the rorquals and Right Whales. 
Many have the impression that the Sperm Whale is found but rarely out of 
the limits of tropical or temperate waters, but we know that the largest Cacha- 
lots have often been taken as far south as 56° of latitude, both in the Pacific 
and Atlantic, and as far north in the Pacific as Cape Ommany, which is in latitude 
56° 12'. 
We may further add, that it is one of the few species of the larger Cetaceans 
which inhabit every ocean not bound with icy fetters during the rigors of winter, 
and although great numbers are found in the cold latitudes, they also delight to 
bask in the equatorial waters under a tropical sun.* It is true, however, that but 
few are met with in the far northern limits of the Atlantic or the Pacific, compared 
with the number which inhabit the great range of the southern seas. This, how- 
ever, may be easily accounted for, as there is no northern thoroughfare by which 
these whales of passage can migrate to or from the Atlantic or Pacific, while at 
the south they are continually passing to and fro from ocean to ocean throughout 
the year. 
The Cachalots are gregarious, and they are often seen in schools numbering 
from fifteen or twenty up to hundreds. The oldest and largest males, however, for 
the greater part of the year roam alone ; yet there is no lack of instances where 
* We are aware that eminent naturalists have to substantiate, as far as our observations go, 
averred that there are several species of the what that excellent and practical observer, Beale, 
Sperm Whale, on the ground of their geograph- has maintained : that there is but one species of 
ical distribution; and it is not within our prov- Sperru Whale "in the ocean roving," and as far 
ince, nor is it our intention, to enter into any as any variety is visible, it exists in every zone 
discussion relative to the question, further than and hemisphere. 
