156 WHALES. 



is generally made in the middle of June, when the females become 

 mothers, and remain in charge of their nurseries for nearly two 

 months. During this time the males are said to form a cordon be- 

 tween their mates and the sea, in order to prevent them from desert- 

 ing their young charges. At the expiration of this time the males re- 

 lax their supervision, and the whole family luxuriates together in the 

 sea, where the mothers soon regain their lost condition. They then 

 seek the shore afresh, and occupy themselves in settling their mat- 

 rimonial alliances, which are understood on the principle that the 

 strongest shall make his choice among the opposite sex, and that the 

 weakest may take those that are rejected by his conquerors, or none at 

 all, as the case may be. 



During the season of courtship the males fight desperately with each 

 other, inflicting fearful wounds with their tusk-like teeth, while the fe- 

 males remain aloof, as quiet spectators of the combat. They are polyg- 

 amous animals, each male being lord over a considerable number of 

 females, whom he rules with despotic sway. AVhen the victorious com- 

 batants have chosen their mates they are very careful about their safety, 

 and refuse to quit them if they should be in any danger. Knowing 

 this fact, the seal-hunters always direct their attacks upon the females, 

 being sure to capture the male afterward. If they were to kill the 

 male at first, his harem would immediately disperse and fly in terror, 

 but as long as he lives they will continue to crowd round him. 



Although these animals are of so great dimensions and bodily 

 strength, and are furnished with a very formidable set of teeth, they 

 are not nearly such dangerous antagonists as the walrus, and are most 

 apathetic in their habits. When roused from sleep they open their 

 mouths in a threatening manner, but do not seem to think of using their 

 teeth ; and if they find that their disturbers do not run away, they take 

 that office upon themselves, and move ofl^ deliberately for the water. As 

 they proceed their huge bodies tremble like masses of jelly, in conse- 

 quence of the fat with which they are so heavily laden. So plentiful 

 is this fat that a single adult male will furnish about seventy gallons 

 of clear and scentless oil. 



WHALES. 



The Cetacea, or Whales, are more thoroughly aquatic than any 

 other animals which have already been described, and are consequently 

 framed in such a very fish-like manner that they have generally been 

 considered as fishes by those who are but little acquainted with the 

 animal kingdom. The whole livelihood of whales is obtained in 

 the waters, and their entire structure is only fitted for traversing the 

 waves, so that if they should happen to be cast upon the shore they 



