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THE DOLPHIN, GRAMPUS, AND PORPESSE. 



ALL thefe filh have teeth both in the upper and the lower jaw, and 

 are much Icfs than the whale. 



Ihe GRAMPUS exceeds twenty feet; is diftinguifhed by the fiat- 

 nefs of its head, which refembles a boat turned upfide down. 



The PORPESSE refembles the Grampus, except in being only half 

 its length ; its fnout alfo more refembles that of an hog. 



The DOLPHIN has a (irong reJemblance to the porpefle, but its 

 fnout is longer and more pointed. 



They have all fins on the back ; heads very large, like the reft of the 

 whale kind ; and refemble each other in appetites, manners, and con- 

 formation ; equally voracious, aftive, and roving. All this tribe, and 

 the dolphin in particular, are not lefs fwift than dcftructive. "No fidi 

 could efcape them, but from the aukward pofition of the mouth, which 

 is placed m a manner under the head ; yet, even with thefe difadvan- 

 tages, their depredations are fo great, that they have. been juftly ftyled 

 the plunderers of the deep. What could induce the ancients to a predi- 

 kftion in favour of the Dolphin, it is not eafy to account for. The ancient 

 painters and fculptors have univerfally drawn them wrong. A Dolphin 

 is Icarce ever exhibited by them llraight, but curved, in the pofition which 

 ihey ronictinies appear in, when exerting their force out of their natural 

 clement. 



They are found, the porpefle efpecially, in fuch vaft numbers, in all 

 parts of the fea that furrounds this kingdom, that they are fometimes 

 noxious to Teamen, when they fail in imail velTels. In fome places they 

 almoft darken the water as they rife to take breath ; and particularly be- 

 fore bad weather are much agitated, fwimming againit the wind, and 

 tumbling about with unufual violence. It is probable they dread thofc 

 feafons of turbulence, when the Itfler fifhes (brink to the bottom, and their 

 prey no longer offers in lufHcient abundance. In fairer weather they 

 herd together, purfuing fhoals of various fifh with great impetuofity. 

 Their method of hunting their game, if it may be fo called, is to follow 

 in a pack, and give each other mutual afTiflance. At that feafon when 

 the mackarcl, the herring, the falmon, and other fifh of paflagc, 

 begin to make their appearance, the cetaceous tribes are feen fierce 

 in the purfuit ; urging their prey from one creek or bay to another, de- 

 terring them from the fhallows, drivitig them towards each other's am- 



Q o 2 bulb. 



