296 CHANGING COLORS OF THE DOLPHIN. 



pangs to a dull leaden hue, losing at the same time the deli- 

 cate pinky tinge of the sides and abdomen. The common 

 sucking-fish, from a brown, bright, shining, blackish color, 

 changes even in the Avater to a leaden hue, and as it dies 

 assumes a tan-color, which grows paler by degrees and turns 

 to a dingy white. 



When swimming near the surface of the water, and glit- 

 tering beneath the light of a cloudless sky, the dolphins 

 appear clothed in the richest gold, and to have the starry 

 lustre of the topaz and sapphire. Two species have been 

 named, from the variety and vividness of their tints, the 

 *' sea-peacock" and the "blue-fish." 



The true dolphin has the snout prolonged into a rather 

 slender beak, Avhence the French have applied to it the 

 name of " the goose of the sea." It was very differently 

 regarded and designated by the ancients, who looked upon 

 it as a sacred fish, and dedicated it to Appollo, who was 

 worshipped at Delphi Avith dolphins for his symbols. The 

 name is given to one of the fairest provinces of France — 

 Dauphiny, from Avhich the heir-apparent of the throne form- 

 erly derived his title of " Dauphin." 



Wondrously beautiful, indeed, are these gay inhabitants 

 of the seas, especially when seen playing and springing from 

 the Avater, when they assume the curved shape that is not 

 natural to them, but which old painters and sculptors have 

 always given them. 



" Upon the swelling waves the dolphins show 

 Their bending backs, then swiftly darting go. 

 And in a thousand wreaths their bodies throw." 



They are, however, very voracious animals, and are said 

 to prey not only on other fishes, but their own species. The 

 flying-fish in particular comes in for a share of their pursuit. 

 Captain Basil Hall gives a vivid discription of their opera- 

 tions : 



