56 COMPARATIVE ANATOMY 



not from this power of uttering cries, that the Melas 

 of Dr. Trail has received the popular name of 

 caing, that is calling whale ? The statements of 

 the fishermen regarding it entirely agree with what 

 has just been stated respecting the Griseus, viz. 

 that no sooner is one of their numerous flocks in 

 danger of being stranded, than it utters vehement 

 cries, which being heard by the rest, they come to 

 its relief, and usually share its dangers. We shall 

 add another and not less pertinent statement on the 

 respectable authority of Orbigny, regarding some 

 animals stranded on the coast of La Vendee in 

 1822. " In the month of June many of the inhabi- 

 tants of Aiguillon were aroused at eleven p. M. by a 

 dreadful noise which apparently proceeded from the 

 sea- shore, and which they compared to the bellowing 

 of a hundred bulls. Some of the most courageous 

 among them went to discover what it was ; but, ter- 

 rified with the extraordinary noise, more appalling 

 during the silence of night, and increased by heavy 

 blows on the land and sea, they returned to their 

 homes. When day appeared they saw four great 

 animals (it was thought there had been others) 

 struggling with death, and uttering frightful cries." 

 Is it, we would enquire, that this noise is wholly- 

 connected with the blowing apparatus, or may not 

 these Cetacea, in the circumstances stated, have 

 produced it through the windpipe and mouth, an- 

 swering to the voice in other mammalia ? But, how- 

 ever this may be, a still more important point is 

 brought by the circumstance under consideration. 



