THE COMMON DOLPHIN 135 



all. The name "Porpoise" is, however, commonly given by sailors to 

 all Cetaceans which are too small to be dignified with the title of 

 "Whales," such as the various Dolphins. 



THE COMMON DOLPHIN 



(Delphinus delphis) 



THIS celebrated animal is nearly related to the Porpoise, but is much 

 larger, measuring from five to eight feet; it is also more elegantly 

 formed, being a perfect model of symmetry, with the jaws prolonged 

 into a narrow beak-like muzzle clearly marked off from the forehead. 

 The sharp conical teeth are very numerous, being from forty-six to 

 fifty on a side. In colour the Dolphin is lighter than the Porpoise, 

 and has a grey or buff shading between the dark hue of the back 

 and the white of the belly. It is the common Cetacean of the 

 Mediterranean, and also inhabits the Atlantic, though it is a more 

 southerly animal than the Porpoise, seldom occurring as far north as 

 Scotland, though sometimes to be found in the Channel. It appears 

 possible that it ranges even into the southern oceans, but there is 

 some doubt as to the exact species in this case. The Dolphin is not 

 a coast-loving animal like the Porpoise, but keeps more to the open 

 sea, where it is found in schools. Like the Porpoise, it feeds on fish. 

 Lively as the Porpoise is, it cannot be compared with the Dolphin, 

 which is perhaps the jolliest beast alive. When the school catch sight 

 of a ship, they hasten towards it in single file, jumping out of the 

 water in sheer exuberance of spirits ; coming alongside, they range up 

 to the bows, and there play all sorts of antics, seeming delighted to 

 find something with which they can have a race. So wonderful are 

 their swimming powers, that they have no trouble, not only in keeping 

 up with a great liner, but in indulging in the most beautiful feats of 

 fancy swimming in the meantime. Thus, I have seen them jump out 

 of the water, and turn on their backs in the air right in front of the 

 ship's stem, heedless of the risk they were running. The stroke of 



