CETACEOUS FISHES. 251 



strong animal to escape ; and if it be not knocked on the head, be- 

 fore it has had time to flounder, the nets are destroyed, and the fish- 

 ery interrupted. There is nothing, therefore, they so much dread, as 

 the entangling a porpoise ; and they do every thing to intimidate the 

 animal from approaching. 



Indeed, these creatures are so violent in the pursuit of their prey, 

 that they sometimes follow a shoal of small fishes up a fresh-water river, 

 from whence they find no small difficulty to return. We have often 

 seen them taken in the Thames at London, both above the bridges 

 and below them. It is curious enough to observe with what activity 

 they avoid their pursuers, and what little time they require to fetch 

 breath above the water. The manner of killing them is for four or 

 five boats to spread over the part of the river in which they are seen, 

 and with fire arms to shoot at them the instant they rise above the 

 water. The fish being thus for some time kept in agitation, requires 

 to come to the surface at quicker intervals, and thus affords the marks- 

 men more frequent opportunities. 



When the porpoise is taken, it becomes no inconsiderable capture, 

 as it yields a very large quantity of oil ; and the lean of some, par- 

 ticularly if the animal be young, is said to be as well tasted as veal. 

 The inhabitants of Norway prepare from the eggs found in the body 

 of this fish, a kind of caviar, which is said to be very delicate sauce, 

 or good when even eaten with bread. There is a fishery for porpoise 

 along the western isles of Scotland during the summer season, when 

 they abound on that shore ; and this branch of industry turns to good 

 advantage. 



As for the rest, we are told, that these animals go with young ten 

 months ; that, like the whale, they seldom bring forth above one at a 

 time, and that in the midst of summer : that they live to a considera- 

 ble age ; though some say not above twenty-five or thirty years; and 

 they sleep with the snout above water. They seem to possess, m a 

 degree proportioned to their bulk, the manners of whales ; and the 

 history of one species of cetaceous animals, will, in a great measu-c 

 serve for all the rest. 



VOL. Ill W 



