108' VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 



two obtuse oval lobes. Body of an ovoidal shape ; 

 no dorsal fins, but a high ridge or projection ex- 

 tends from the blow-hole to the origin of the tail, 

 and gradually diminishes in height as it approach- 

 es the tail ; two pectoral fins ; colour generally ci- 

 nereous, dappled with numerous multiform black 

 spots ; belly a shining white, and soft as velvet to 

 the touch. 



Naturalists differ greatly as to the food of the 

 unicorn. Perhaps it differs with the parts of the 

 ocean it inhabits. Small fishes, Mollusca and Ac- 

 tinea, are their more general food. 



The Narwhal swims with great swiftness, and, 

 like the other cetacea, cannot remain long under 

 the water without respiring. When frightened, or 

 attacked, they huddle together in such numbers 

 that they force their long horns into the body of 

 each other, and thereby become an easy prey to 

 their pursuers. 



This animal, though seemingly harmless, is, as 

 already mentioned, a dangerous enemy of the com- 

 mon whale ; and has been known to dart its horn 

 into the side of a ship *.. The vessel must have 

 sunk had not the horn been broken off by the vio- 

 lence of the stroke. 



* Forst. Voy. p. 353. 



