150 fcJRQUAL OF THE SOUTHERN SEAS. 



and flying fish. It is under these circumstances 

 that these giants are most active, as if enjoying the 

 storm, and then appear busiest in pursuing their 

 prey. 



FOSSILE RORQUALS, ETC. 



WE have already hinted that most of the Cetacea 

 have been found in a fossile state, and we scarcely 

 know any thing which is more calculated to de- 

 monstrate the extraordinary revolutions which have 

 taken place on the surface of the globe, than the fact 

 that specimens of these great whales are now to be 

 found in the bowels of the earth, in the centre of 

 mighty continents, and elevated high in vast ranges 

 of mountains. Thus there are distinct records of 

 portions of skeletons of whales having been dis- 

 covered on the continent of Europe, as well as in 

 various parts of Britain, &c. 



One of these was discovered by M. Cortesi in 

 1806 on the east flank of Monte Pulgnasco, one of the 

 Apennines, about six hundred feet under the summit, 

 which is itself elevated twelve hundred feet above the 

 neighbouring plain. In this part, the hill consists of 

 regular beds of bluish clay, inclined towards the north, 

 and filled with marine shells. The whale was found 

 lying in the same direction with the strata which in- 

 closed it, the head pointing northwards. This skele- 

 ton was nearly perfect, although some of the ribs were 

 somewhat out of their proper position. The vertebrae 

 were lying on the right side ; a great many teeth of 



