MAMMALIA. 297 



blubber (as it is called) beneath their skin ; this protects 

 them from the cold, for most of these creatures live in 

 the very coldest climates, the oily matters acting as a 

 non-conductor ; it is for the oil yielded by this blubber that 

 they are chiefly caught. The Cachelot or Sperm-whale 

 (Phyceter macrocephalus) also yields spermaceti, which 

 crystallizes from the oily matter contained in its head, and 

 the Greenland- whale yields baleen or whale-bone, which is 

 a substance forming a sort of sieve in the mouth, through 

 which they draw the sea- water and catch all it may contain 

 for food, this consists of all small fish, but principally a 

 small mollusc called the " Clio Borealis," which inhabits the 

 northern seas in great numbers ; a whole shoal of these is 

 taken in by the Whale at a draught. The Whale often 

 measures 60 or 70 feet in length, and the Razor-back 

 Whale sometimes 100; a large Whale will yield 20 

 tuns of oil. The IN'arwal or Sea Unicorn is from 20 to 30 

 feet long ; it has but one tooth, which is developed to a pro- 

 digious length, and projects in front in a straight line like 

 a sort of horn, there are however sometimes two of these, 

 one being always much larger than the other ; this horn is 

 8 or 10 feet long, perfectly straight and twisted, it is used 

 by the animal to break the ice so that it may breathe, and 

 also to spear and capture fish, on which the Narwal lives. 

 This horn produces beautiful ivory. 



8. The CARNIYORA, or Flesh-eaters (fig. 67), include the 

 Feline tribe, as the Lion, Tiger, Jaguar (fig. 68), Leopard, 

 &c. ; the Canine, as the Hyena, Wolf, Jackal, Dog, Fox, &c., 

 the Ursine, which includes the Bears, and the Phocine, 

 including the Seal kind. The Feline tribe are formed to 

 spring upon, hold, and rend other animals which they kill 

 for food, and have teeth and claws suitable to this purpose, 

 and great activity and strength to enable them to contend 

 with, and overcome their prey. They are, for the most part, 

 nocturnal in their habits, seldom seeking their prey but in the 

 night, and then mostly frequenting the drinking-places where 

 other animals come for water. They attack by gradually 

 stalking after the animal, getting nearer and nearer, till at last 



