THE 



441 



reaching that locality alxmt the .-ml of November. It swims in lrge herds, and U of exceed- 

 ing value tn ill.- natives, who not only eat its tlesh, ami hum and drink it-* oil, l.m employ the 

 sinews for thivad. \\lii.-h may IN. made of any degree of Jim-ness l.y splitting tin- lendons. and 

 use tin- delicate internal membranes for windows to their huts. The coming of the Beluga is 

 anxiously expected by the Greenlanders, as their provisions generally run short about the end 

 of Noveml* T. aii'l are replenished l>y the flesh of their welcome visitor. 



I'll.- Ileluiri. or White Whale, is cloBely ail lied to the above. This cetacean, in on auult, is 

 about t welve feet in length. The color in a uniform creamy white. Its habitat is the region of 

 the St. Lawrence River, where shoals of them even push into the fresh water. It is captured 

 for its oil. Sjiecimens ten feet in length have been trunsi>ortHl to New York, where they have 

 been kept in the great tanks of the Aquarium. Indeed, one was successfully taken to England, 

 and lived long enough to give some opportunity to witness a living whale in confinement. This 

 -p.-, linen wa quite amenable to domestication f.-eding from its k^-per's hands, etc. 



MOST familiar of all the Dolphin fraternity is the well-known PORPOISE, or SEA Hoo, an 

 animal which may be seen on any of our coasts, tumbling about on the waves, and executing 

 various gambols in the exuberance of its sportive feelings. 



Before steamboats came into general use, the Porpoises were constant attendant 

 packet and passenger boats, sometimes pursuing the vessels from sheer curiosity, and at other 

 times following in their wake in hopes of picking up the garbage that might be thrown ovw 

 board. In the present day. h. .w.-ver, the Porpoises are so frightene-l at the paddle* and 

 that they remain at a respectful distance from the ln>ats, content themselves with keeping pace 

 with the" vs-ls for a conrse of some miles, and then drop astern to rejoin their companion-. 



The Porpoise is a very gregarious animal, herding together in large shoals, and 

 swimming in " Indian file" as they shoot over the surface of the sea ; just showing their black 

 and glossy backs above the water, and keeping su.-h excellent line that they seem t 

 animated by one spirit and one will. 



As might be presumed from the formidable array of sharp teeth with which the jaws 

 studded, and which are so arranged that the upland lower sets interU-k when the animal 

 doses its mouth, ttfl bod Of the PorjM.ise consists entirely of animal -,.l.,T.,n.-.->. :,.,.::,..,..- 

 wholly of fish, which it consumes in large quantities, much to the disguM of human tishermem. 

 Herrings, pilchards, sprats, and other salable fish, are in great favor with the Porpoise, wh: 



