WHALES 131 



of the family is the Narwhal (Monodon monoceros). The male carries 



in its upper jaw a huge straight tusk, often as much as 7 feet long, which 



was once believed to be 



the horn of a fabulous 



animal, the unicorn. As 



this tooth is absent in 



the female, it probably 



serves as a weapon with 



which the males fight 



for the possession of the 



female. (Compare with SKULL OF DOLPHIN. (One-sixth natural size.) 



the antlers of deer.) 



Of a size almost as gigantic as the Greenland whale is the Cachalot, 

 or Sperm Whale (Catodon macrocephalus) , which inhabits all seas except 

 the Arctic Ocean. They derive their second name from a fatty substance, 

 the spermaceti, which rapidly hardens on exposure to air, and is 

 contained in special cavities of its enormous head. The pursuit of this 

 animal is attended by considerable danger. With its powerful jaws it 

 can bite a boat in two, and we are informed by credible authorities that in 

 its terrible onrush it has even sent large ships to the bottom. 



D. Importance of the Whale to Man. 



The fact that a Greenland whale furnishes oil and whalebone to the 

 value of from 750 to 1,500 furnishes a sufficient reason for the incessant 

 pursuit of this species. All the other large species of the whale family 

 have also been hunted for many years. Having provided themselves with 

 provisions for several months, the whalers sail to the hunting-grounds. 

 As soon as the look-out man observes the familiar jet of spray, boats are 

 lowered and rowed with the speed of an arrow towards the prey. As soon 

 as the boat is within fair range, a harpoon is hurled into the animal's body. 

 Now is the moment for caution. The wounded animal lashes the waves 

 in its fury and pain, plunges down into the depth, or takes to speedy flight, 

 dragging the light craft along with it by the line of the harpoon. Now 

 begins a race for life or death. If there are other boats at hand to 

 harpoon it, or if it has been mortally wounded by the first attack, it is 

 soon exhausted, and is then despatched with long iron spears. The gigantic 

 body is next fastened with strong chains to the ship, which has come 

 up in the meantime, and the work of cutting up and boiling down the 

 blubber begins. After the whalebone has finally been removed the 

 carcase is allowed to drift. In recent times whales are usually killed 

 with bombs, which explode in the animal's inside and kill it instantane- 



92 



