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, w* 

 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-) And 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 Lipari to Stromboli, and Humboldt men- 

 tions he saw it in porpoises, in the fresh water, 

 three hundred leagues from the mouth of the Ori- 

 nocco." (Tioologie de, I'Urame, 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 



