CETACEANS. 



153 



CHAPTER II. 



WHALES OF THE SOUTHERN OCEANS. 



The Cachalot, or Sperm Whale (Catodon macrocephalus, Lacep. Physeter 

 macrocephalus, Shaw) General and anatomical description of the 

 species Dissection of & foetus Diseases and deformities Parasitic 

 occupants. 



THE Sperm Whale, or Cachalot, is the largest, as well 

 as the most valuable of the southern whales ; and has 

 many points of interest in its structure and economy. 

 It is known to the English as the Sperm- or Anvil- 

 headed Whale ; the French name it the cachalot ; and 

 the Germans, the pottfisch. 



It affords us the valuable commodities sperm-oil, 

 spermaceti, and ambergris. This is the only species 

 of cachalot with which southern whalers are acquainted ; 

 and, in the opinion of the accurate Cuvier, is the only 

 one that exists certainly, of the many kinds distin- 

 guished by the names round-headed or lesser cachalot, 



