186 THE NARWHAJi, OR SEA UNICORN. 



the other, somehow strangled, is almost obliterated 

 and remains shut up in the bone, like an inert 

 osseous nut. From this appearance, which is by- 

 much most frequently seen, has resulted the many 

 names which the Narwhal has received, such as 

 Monodon, Monoceros, and Unicom; although the 

 early authors, previous to Linnaeus, were not igno- 

 rant that the rudiments of two existed. It is 

 curious that the tusk is usually found on the left 

 side, and we do not know that any sufficient reason 

 has been assigned for tliis circumstance. At one 

 time it was stated tliat the tusks were peculiar to the 

 males ; this is now hoAvever found to be incorrect, 

 and it seems doubtful whether they are not as 

 common in the one sex as the other. Fabricius' 

 accoimt is probably the correct one : — " Ceterum 

 tcum fcemince^ quam mares^ dentatce." This natu- 

 ralist, alike distinguished for his elegance and ac- 

 curacy, seems to have anticipated those who would 

 put in a claim to originality as to the internal 

 structure of the tooth; we again quote his words, 

 " Radice cavus, quce cavitas^ ut medella totum fere 

 dentum transit." It consists of a very fine compact 

 kind of ivory. 



The use of this tusk is somewhat doubtful, and 

 many purposes sufficiently absurd have been as- 

 signed for it. Several hints, however, have been 

 thro-wTi out by the ingenuity of Mr. Scorseby, which, 

 upon the whole, we regard as satisfactorily explain- 

 ing its use. Thus, in his " Arctic Regions," he 

 remarks, from the extremity of the tusk being 



