132 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



and subsequently covered by the rapidly forming sediment of the Mississippi. The lower jaw was 

 wanting. The skull, with the upper jaw, was perfect, and measured fifteen feet. After a careful 

 examination and comparison, it was identified with the Rorqualis australis, or Balcenoptera of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, described and figured by Cuvier (Oss. Foss. Vol. 5, part 1, p. 370, pi. 26, 

 figs. 1, 2, 3, 4). A reduced figure, from a larger one taken on the spot, will be found on Plate 33, 

 fig. 4. 



FAMILY III. DELPHINIDJE. 



Teeth in both jaws, often numerous. No baleen. Other characters in common with the 

 preceding family. Gregarious. 



Obs. Sixteen species, included under seven genera, belong to this family. They are generally 

 small, but some of them equal in bulk the largest of the preceding family. 



GENUS GLOBICEPHALUS. Lesson. 



Head globular ; the rostrum not produced. Mouth subterminal, beneath. A dorsal eminence 

 resembling a fin. Spiracle single. 



Obs. This small group contains at present two living and one fossil species. On our coast, 

 we have frequently 



THE SOCIAL WHALE. 



Globicefbalus melas. 



PLATE XXX. FIG. 3. 



Delphinus melas. Trail, Nicholson's Journal, Vol.22, p. 81, 1809, figure. 

 D. globiceps. Covier, Mem. Mus. Vol. 19, p. 1, 1812, figure. 

 £>. deduclor. ScoRESBY, Arct. Regions, Vol. 1, p. 496, figure. 

 D. intermedius. Harlan, Ac. Sciences, Vol. 6, p. 51, pi. 1. 

 Phocena globiceps. Sampson, Am. Journal, Vol. 23, p. 301, figure. 



Characteristics. Uniform black above ; lighter beneath. Teeth varying from 18 - 28 in each 

 jaw. Swimming paws long and pointed. Length 15 to 20 feet. 



Description. Body cylindrical, tapering to the tail, and ending in front in an obtuse globular 

 head. Upper jaw somewhat advanced before the lower. Teeth equidistant, sharp, conical, 

 incurved at the point, the largest eight inches in length ; they are not apparent in the young, 

 and appear to vary in number with age. In an adult specimen, they were 28 in each jaw. 

 Spiracle single, and placed on the back of the head. Sides of the tail carinated ; the tail itself 

 strangulated at the base. The dorsal eminence triangular, broad at base, sixteen inches high, 

 immovable, and placed six feet from the mouth. Swimming paws long, narrow and tapering, 

 sixteen inches in length. 



