OF THE CETACEA. 61 



almost every genus, so the blowing is different in 

 most of them; and to such an extent, that we believe 

 an experienced observer could, even at a distance, 

 determine the variety at any particular time in sight ; 

 and the utility of this to the whalers need not be 

 insisted upon. When describing the genera, we 

 shall, as far as our materials enable us, point out 

 these minute peculiarities. 



One general remark, however, may here be pre- 

 mised, viz. that the blowing is most conspicuous in 

 the largest genera, very marked also in those of inter- 

 mediate dimensions, while in the smaller it is seldom 

 or ever visible at all. Thus Lesson remarks, " we 

 have examined for hours many different species of 

 dolphins sporting around the vessel, without "wit- 

 nessing the slightest column of water, or of vapour, 

 being projected from the blow-holes." (Zool. de la 

 Loquille, p. 177-) ^nd so Quoy and Gaimard, 

 " the dolphins very rarely spout ; we were going to 

 say never, because we have never seen it, but that 

 Spallanzani states that he Avitnessed it whilst pass- 

 ing from Lipaii to Stromboli, and Humboldt men- 

 tions he saw it in poi-poises, in the fresh water, 

 three hundred leagues from the mouth of the Ori- 

 nocco." (Zoologie de I'Urcmie, p. 79.) And this 

 would appear to arise not only from their inferior 

 size and energy, but also from a difference in the 

 construction of the apparatus, which we do not 

 think has been pointed out. In the smaller va- 

 rieties the parts seem to be much less muscular; 

 and hence, though quite efficient for all the purposes 



