300 THE NARWHAL^. 



Though Nature has given the narwhale these destruc- 

 tive weapons, it is one of the most peaceable inhabitants 

 of the sea ; and is often to be observed inoffensively 

 sporting amidst other great monsters that reside in the 

 deep. The Greenlanders call the sea-unicorn the whale's 

 fore-runner, as it is certain to appear soon after that has 

 been seen : this may probably arise from their natural 

 passion for society, or from both existing upon the same 

 food. The manner and appetites of both are similar, and 

 each are always to be seen in herds; and, whenever they 

 are attacked, they crowd so close together, that they 

 are often entangled in each others tusks. 



When the method of catching whales was entirely 

 unknown, and none were ever seen unless stranded on 

 the coast, the nai whale's tooth was sometimes found 

 amongst other fossil substances, and thought to belong 

 to an animal of the quadruped race. This probably 

 gave rise to the history of the unicorn, which Pliny 

 has described as resembling a horse with a horn fixed 

 in the front of his head. 



OF THE CACHALOT, AND ITS VARIETIES. 



. The cachalot bore the title of the spermaceti-whale, 

 until Mr. Pennant very properly distinguished it by 

 borrowing a name from the French. It has no teeth in 

 the upper jaw; and, like the whale, there are seven dif- 

 ferent kinds, which are separately known by the follow- 

 ing names: The cachalot with two fins, and a black 

 back ; the cachalot with two fins, but the back white; 

 the cachalot with a spout in the neck ; the cachalot 

 with a spout in the snout; the cachalot with three fins, 

 and sharp pointed teeth ; the cachalot with three fins, 

 and sharp edged teeth ; and, lastly, the cachalot with 

 three fins, and Hatted teeth. 



