408 



Fishes. 



name of ambergris is also obtained from the body of 

 this animal. It is generally found in the stomach, but 

 sometimes in the intestines ; and, in a commercial point 

 of view, is a highly valuable production. The sper- 

 maceti is in a fluid state while the animal is living, and 

 as soon as it is dead a hole is made in the head, and the 

 liquid taken out with buckets. It becomes solid as it 

 cools, and it is afterwards made into candles, &c. 



When we reflect that the same Power whose will has 

 formed the immense bulk of this marine monster has 

 also given animation, senses, and passions to the smallest 

 of the microscopic animalcules, how lowered must be 

 the pride of man, who, standing in the middle, and 

 nearly at equal distance from both, is yet unable to 

 comprehend the mechanism which puts them in motion, 

 and much less that intelligence and power which has 

 given them life, and has assigned to them their respec- 

 tive stations in the universe ! Let us then exclaim, 

 with astonishment and gratitude, with the Psalmist : 

 " O Lord, how inscrutable are thy ways, how magnifi- 

 cent thy works !" 



THE DOLPHIN. (Delphinus delphis.) 



THIS animal, like the whale, is not considered a fish, 

 though it lives in the water, as it has warm blood and 

 suckles its young, which are born alive. It has also 

 lungs instead of gills, and is therefore obliged to raise 

 its head above the surface of the water to breathe. 

 The Dolphin is from six to ten feet in length. The 



