THE PORPOISE. 



163 



property of retainiDg its beautiful whiteness for a very long period, so 

 that a large Narwhal horn is of no inconsiderable commercial value. 



The native Greenlauders hold the Narwhal in high estimation ; for, 

 independently of its value, it is welcomed each succeeding year as the 

 harbinger of the Greenland whale. 



The oil which is extracted from the blubber is very delicate, but is 

 not present in very great amount, as the coating of fatty substance is 

 seldom more than three inches in depth. About half a ton of oil is ob- 

 tained from a large specimen. The flesh is much prized by the natives, 

 and is not only eaten in its fresh state, but is carefully dried and pre- 

 pared over the fire. 



The color of this animal is almost entirely black upon the upper sur- 

 face of the body, but is slightly varied by streaks and patches of a 

 deeper tint. The sides fade into grayish white, diversified with sun- 

 dry gray marks, and the under portions of the body are white. 



Most familiar of all the Dolphin fraternity is the well-known Por- 

 poise, or Sea Hog, an animal which may be seen on any of our coasts. 



The Porpoise or Porpesse [Phoccena communis). 



tumbling about on the waves and executing various gambols in the ex- 

 uberance of its sportive feelings. 



Porpoises are very gregarious animals, herding together in large 

 shoals, and sometimes swimming in " Indian file," as they shoot over 

 the surface of the sea, just showing their black and glossy backs above 

 the water, and keeping such excellent line that they seem to be an- 

 imated by one spirit and one will. 



As might be presumed from the formidable array of sharp teeth with 



