The Dolphin. 409 



body is roundish, gradually diminishing towards the 

 tail ; the nose is long and pointed, the skin smooth, 

 the back black or dusky blue, becoming white below. 

 It has numerous small teeth in each jaw ; a dorsal and 

 two pectoral fins, and a tail in the shape of a crescent. 

 The beak-like snout has probably made the French call 

 the Dolphin the sea-goose. 



Several curious stories have been related of this animal, 

 most of which are fabulous. The anecdote of Arion, the 

 musician, who, being thrown overboard by pirates, was 

 indebted for his life to one of these animals, is well 

 known, and acquired great credit among ancient poets, 

 as it was said to be by his music that Arion charmed 

 the Dolphin. There are several other fables mentioned 

 by ancient authors to prove the philanthropy of the 

 Dolphin. Since the province of Dauphine in France 

 has been united to the crown, the heir-apparent has 

 been called " Dauphin," and quarters a Dolphin on his 

 shield. Falconer, in his beautiful poem, " The Ship- 

 wreck," describes the death of the Dolphin in the fol- 

 lowing elegant manner : 



" Beneath the lofty vessel's stern 



A shoal of sporting dolphins they discern, 

 Beaming from burnished scales refulgent rays, 

 Till all the glowing ocean seems to blaze. 

 In curling wreaths they wanton on the tide ; 

 Now bound aloft, now downward swiftly glide. 

 Awhile beneath the waves their tracks remain, 

 And burn in silver streams along the liquid plain ; 

 Soon to the sport of death the crew repair, 

 Dart the long lance, or spread the bated snare. 

 One in redoubling mazes wheels along, 

 And glides, unhappy, near the triple prong. 

 Rodmond, unerring, o'er his head suspends 

 The barbed steel, and every turn attends : 

 Unerring aim'd, the missile weapon flew, 

 And plunging, struck the fated victim through. 

 The upturning points his pond'rous bulk sustain ; 

 On deck he struggles with convulsive pain ; 

 But while his heart the fatal javelin thrills, 

 And fleeting life escapes in sanguine rills, 

 What radiant changes strike the astonish'd sight, 

 What glowing hues of mingled shade and light ! 

 No equal beauties gild the lucid west 

 With parting beams all o'er profusely dressed ; 



