218 THE DEDUCTOR, OR CASING WHALE. 



very near the land, the foremost turned round with 

 a sudden leap, and the whole rushed past the hoat." 

 It is from this peculiarity of their mental constitu- 

 tion, that Mr. Scorseby, it would appear, applied to 

 them the appellation Deductor. 



They appear wholly inoffensive and very timid 

 animals. Thus, in all the instances on record of 

 their heing discovered at sea, and hunted to land, 

 the chase has been free from danger, and a few frail 

 boats and most ineffective weapons, with shouts and 

 noise in the water, were sufficient to drive them 

 from their native element to their destruction. 



They likewise manifest in a very striking manner 

 that trait for which all the Cetacea seem remarkable ; 

 we mean maternal, and, in this case, we must add 

 mutual affection. This is not only inferred from 

 their associating in troops, but especially from their 

 manifestation of a disposition, as we have seen in 

 some of the Sperm Whales, to help and assist one 

 another in their difficulties. Thus, in the case of 

 the stranding of a shoal at Bloubalzbance, there 

 were only twelve men, in half a dozen of frail boats, 

 engaged in the pursuit. At first they succeeded in 

 stranding only one of the young cubs ; it immediately 

 set up loud cries, which were heard by the rest, 

 and an old one, which was considered its mother, 

 speedily came to its relief; but she came not alone, 

 the whole flock followed, and were thus made an 

 easy prey. Upon this point we find it stated in 

 Dr. Neil's account, that when any one strikes the 

 ground it sets up a howling cry, and immediately 



