THE GRAMPUS. 229 



The name Grampus seems to be a corruption of the 

 French : their Grand- poison was, by the Normans of 

 the middle age, pronounced Grapois, whence in all 

 probability the English Grampus, to which appel- 

 lation its dimensions well entitle it. It is remark- 

 able that we are still in want of an accura^^e descrip- 

 tion of this species. 



An examination of the Plate will render few 

 words necessary regarding its external appearance. 

 It is a great animal, half the size of the Greenland 

 full gro^t-n whale, being often seen from twenty-five 

 to thirty feet in length, and ten or twelve in circum- 

 ference. Its snout is short and roundish ; the lower 

 jaw is somewhat bent upwards, broader but not so 



long as the upper. The teeth are yy-r, ? forty-four 



in all ; they are strong, large, conical and somewhat 

 hooked; those furthest back being flattened at the 

 summit. The dorsal fin, nearly on the middle of 

 the body, is four feet high and upwards ; the pec- 

 torals too, are very large and somewhat oval. The 

 tail is very powerful. The colour is black above, 

 suddenly giving place to white on the sides, which 

 is continued over the abdomen. Generally, behind 

 the eye, there is a large white patch, somewhat like 

 an eyelid. 



The favourite abode of the Grampus seems to ht 

 the northern regions, on the coast of Greenland, 

 Spitzbergen, and Davis Straits. It is also frequently 

 seen in small herds in the British seas aiid friths, 

 we beHeve, at all seasons. It often visits the Frith 



