214 THE DEDUCTOR, OR CA'iNG WHALE. 



teeth lock into each other, like those of a rat-trap. 

 In the females giving suck, the teats have been 

 observed to be somewhat larger than those of a cow, 

 and when pressed, milk very readily issues from 

 them. Their food is sand-lances and other smaller 

 fish. They are generally veiy fat, then* blubber 

 being about tlu'ee inches thick, and affording a large 

 quantity of excellent and pale oil. 



It would appear that the Northern Ocean, from 

 the 56^ to the 66^, is the favourite resort of the 

 Deductor. Sometimes it has been witnessed in 

 lower latitudes; but not frequently, nor in large 

 numbers : it would also seem to have been seen in 

 the Mediterranean, but whether as a mere straggler 

 or a permanent residenter, we cannot decide-dly 

 affirm. 



Of all the Cetacea, this would appear to be the 

 most sociable, often herding together in innumerable 

 flocks. We shall here supply a few facts which 

 establish this point. From an old history of the 

 Feroe Islands, quoted by Scorseby, it would appear 

 that the inhabitants are in the habit of hunting 

 these animals, which they designate Grind Whales, 

 ajid capture them in great numbers. In the year 

 1664, on two excursions only, they killed about 

 one thousand. In the year 1 748, forty individuals 

 of this species were seen in Tor Bay, and one seven- 

 toeJi feet long was capturexi ; in 1 799, about two 

 liundred ran ashore in Fetlar, one of the Shetland 

 Isles; and in 1805, as mentioned by Dr. Neil, in 

 Febmaiy, one hundred and ninety, and in March, 



