THE WHALE. THE GRAMPUS. 291 



concretion formed in the Cachalot, or spermaceti whale. 

 Ambergris is highly esteemed among- the eastern nations, and 

 sells for an enormous price. 



ESTHER. 



Of what size are the lumps generally] 



MRS. F. 



They have been met with of an immense size. In 1755, 

 the French East India Company had a lump weighing 62 

 kilogrammes* (about 132lbs. 13 oz.), and the Dutch East 

 India Company gave 11,000 rix dollars (about 2,3837. Gs. 8d.) 

 for a piece weighing 91 kilogrammes (194 Ibs. 14 oz.). 



ESTHER. 



Is not the tail of the whale its most powerful weapon? 

 MRS. F. 



It is; and indeed the whale has occasion for instruments of 

 defence, for it has many enemies to encounter. Its skin is 

 covered with barnacles (Balanus genus) and other parasites, 

 which cause flocks of petrels (Procellaria pelagica} and other 

 sea birds to perch upon its back, in order to devour them; but 

 its three great enemies in the ocean are, the sword-fish 

 (Xiphias gladius), the common shark (Squalus carcharius), 

 and the grampusf (Delphinus gladiator and arm). The 

 sword-fish attacks the whale with its terrible weapon, and 

 the grampus assail it in large troops, teasing it till it opens 

 its mouth, and then they devour its tongue. 



FREDERICK. 



How very savage. , 



MRS. F. 



The whale may be placed at the head of the animal king- 

 dom, for to no other animal has Providence assigned so 



* A kilogramme equals 2 Ibs. 2 oz. 4 drs. 16 grs. English weight; 

 a rix dollar equals 4s. 4rf. sterling, 

 t Grampus, i. e. grand poisson. 



