RISSO'S DOLPHIN THE BLACKFISH 139 



RISSO'S DOLPHIN 



(Grampus griseus) 



THIS peculiar Dolphin reaches thirteen feet in length, and in form is 

 much like a large Porpoise, with a swollen forehead and long pointed 

 curved flippers. Its teeth are confined to the lower jaw, and are only 

 few in number, three to seven on each side. Its colour is very 

 peculiar grey, with the belly white and the fins black; but it varies 

 a great deal, being sometimes black above. A characteristic point is 

 the number of pale streaks and spots scattered all over the body. 

 Risso's Grampus, as the creature is sometimes called, is very different 

 in habits from the true Grampus, being harmless in disposition and 

 depending on Cuttle-fish for its food. It is a gregarious animal, and 

 found nearly in all seas, though rarely taken. In a few cases it has 

 been found on our coasts. 



THE BLACKFISH 



(Globicephalus melas) 



THE Blackfish, well known in our northern islands as the "Ca'ing 

 Whale," is a Porpoise-like creature, with a bulging forehead sur- 

 mounting a short snout; it is black nearly all over, but has a white 

 patch on the throat continued downwards as a long streak. It is 

 a large animal for a Dolphin, reaching twenty feet in length, and has 

 ten teeth on each side of the jaws. 



This Whale is found in all seas, and is, as above remarked, well 

 known in the north of our islands, though rare in the south. " Black- 

 fish" is the Whalers' name for it in Australasian waters. It is the 

 species called " Ca'ing " (driving) Whale in the Shetlands, and " Grind- 

 hval " in the Faroes ; and the inhabitants of these groups find it a 

 most convenient creature. This is because it goes in very large herds, 

 which follow their leader as blindly as Sheep, and it is also inclined 



