Lit. 



but drink the oil, which they consider as one of their 

 first rate delicacies. The finding of a dead whale is a 

 circumstance which they rank among the fortunate 

 events of their lives. A number of them make their 

 abode near it, and seldom remove until they have 

 picked the bones. You will here, my dear Sir, re- 

 ilect on the blessings of civilization; and in contem- 

 plating the wretched condition of men little advanced 

 beyond a state of nature, be thankful to Divine Provi- 

 dence for having placed you in a country where plen- 

 ty is procured by industry, and protected by judici- 

 ous and equitable laws. 



A skeleton of a whale about sixty feet long, is pre- 

 served in the exhibition rooms at Exeter 'Change. It 

 has twenty-two ribs, eleveh on each side, and fifty- 

 four vertebra, or joints, in the back-bone. 



THE NAKWALE, Oil SEA UNICORN, 



is less than the whale, not being more than sixty feet 

 long: its shape is also more slender, and its fat less- 

 abundant. It is distinguished from all the other inha- 

 bitants of the deep by its tooth, which stands pointing' 

 cut directly forward/ and resembles a horn, being 

 from ten to fourteen feet long. Of all the variety of 

 weapons with which nature has armed the different 

 tribes of animals, no other so large and so formidable 

 is found. This tooth, or horn, as it is sometimes call- 

 ed, is as straight as an arrow, as thick as a man's leg, 

 and wreathed, as we sometimes see twisted bars oiT 

 iron. It tapers to a sharp point, and is Whiter, hea- 

 Tier, and harder than ivory. 



Notwithstanding its accoutrements for combat, its 

 long ami pointed tusk?, prodigious strength, and ex- 

 traordinary celerity, the norw'hale is one of the most 

 harmless of animals. It is seen peaceably sporting 

 among the other gretvt monsters of the deep, no way 

 attempting to injure them, but apparently pleased iu 

 their company; and these powerful fishes, although/ 

 furnished with such terrible weapons of destruction, 

 are as inoffensive as a drove of oxen. They are much 

 swifter than the whale, and would never be taken, if 

 their escape were nol prevented by those very 



