252 A HISTORY OF 



Yet notwithstanding all these appointments for combat, these long 

 and pointed tusks, amazing strength, and unmatchable celerity, the 

 narwhale is one of the most harmless and peaceable inhabitants of the 

 ocean. It is seen constantly and inoffensively sporting among the 

 other great monsters of the deep, noway attempting to injure them, 

 but pleased in their company. The Greenlanders call the narwhale 

 the forerunner of the whale ; for wherever it is seen, the whale is 

 shortly after sure to follow. This may arise as well from the natural 

 passion for society in these animals, as from both living upon the 

 same food, which are the insects described in the preceding chapter. 

 These powerful fishes make war upon no other living creatures; and, 

 though furnished with instruments to spread general destruction, are 

 as innocent and as peaceful as a drove of oxen. Nay, so regardless 

 are they of their own weapons, and so utterly unmindful to keep them 

 in repair for engagement, that they are constantly seen covesed over 

 with weeds, slough, and all the filth of the sea; they seem rather con 

 sidered as an impediment than a defence. 



The manners and appetites both of the narwhale and the great 

 whale are entirely similar ; they both alike want teeth for chewing, 

 and are obliged to live upon insects ; they both are peaceable and 

 harmless, and always rather fly than seek the combat. The narwhale 

 however, has a much narrower gape than the great whale, and, there- 

 fore, does not want the use of barbs to keep in its food when once 

 sucked into the mouth. It is also much swifter, and would never be 

 taken by the fishermen but for those very tusks which at first appear 

 to be its principal defence. These animals, as was said, being fond 

 of living together, are always seen in herds of several at a time ; and 

 whenever they are attacked, they crowd together in such a manner, 

 that they are mutually embarrassed by their tusks. By these they are 

 often locked together, and are prevented from sinking to the bottom. 

 It seldom happens, therefore, but the fishermen make sure of one or 

 two of the hindmost, which very well reward their trouble. 



It is from the extraordinary circumstance of the teeth, therefore, 

 that this fish demands a distinct history ; and such has been the curi- 

 osity of mankind, and their desire to procure them, that a century ago 

 they were considered as the greatest rarity in the world. At that 

 time the art of catching whales was not known ; and mankind saw 

 few, except such as were stranded on the coasts by accident. The 

 tooth of the narwhale, therefore, was ascribed to a very different ani- 

 mal from that which really bore it. Among other fossil substances 

 they were sometimes dug up ; and the narwhale being utterly un- 

 known, naturalists soon found a terrestrial owner. They were thought 

 to be the horns of unicorns, an animal described by Pliny as resem- 

 bling a horse, and with one straight horn darting forward from the 

 middle of its forehead. These teeth were, therefore, considered as a 

 strong testimony in favour of that historian's veracity, and were shown 

 among tne most precious remains of antiquity. Even for some time 

 after the narwhale was known, the deceit was continued, as those who 

 were possessed of a tooth sold it to grea advantage. But at present 

 they are too well known to deceive any, and are -only shown for what 

 they really are ; their curiosity increasing in proportion to their weight 

 and their size 



