290 THE WHALE. AMBERGRIS. 



FREDERICK. 



What is the usual length of the whale? 



MRS. F. 



The skeleton which I saw was ninety-five feet long, but 

 travellers assert that they have met with whales of an in- 

 credible length.* However, these accounts rest upon no 

 authentic foundation, and recent observations! make it appear 

 that the common whale (Salaena mysticetus) seldom exceeds 

 seventy feet in length; the skeleton, therefore, exhibited is 

 unusually large. 



ESTHER. 



But is the common, or Greenland whale, the largest of the 

 genus] 



MRS. F. 



No; though long considered as such, it must yield the pre- 

 eminence to the Rorqual (Balsena 6oops), which is found much 

 larger, but is seldom taken, for it affords little oil, and is very 

 ferocious and dangerous to catch, in consequence of the vio- 

 lence of its movements when attacked 



MARY*. 

 How large the head of the whale is! 



MRS. F. 



Yes; its head occupies a third, or even half, of the whole 

 length of its body. It is, you know, in the head of one genus 

 (Physeter) that spermaceti is found. 



ESTHER. 



And does not ambergris also come from the spermaceti 

 whale! 



MRS. F. 



So it is supposed. This substance is usually found in 

 opaque solid lumps, floating upon the sea, and appears to be a 



* 300 feet. t Scoresby. 



