CHAP. V. DEFENCES OF WHALES. 139 



throw itself with impetuosity upon Its opponent, and 

 always sideways ; thus bringing into action the longest 

 and sharpest of its quills. It seems most anxious, 

 when attacked, to protect the head ; and yet no animal, 

 perhaps, can bite harder. The thickest and strongest 

 boards soon yield to the gnawing operation of their 

 teeth. The beaver is equally remarkable for the same pro- 

 pensity ; it is well known to be aquatic, seeking safety in 

 flight, or in the intricacies of its "watery citadel; and both 

 the beavers and the porcupines are nocturnal animals. 

 If, as we believe, the marsupial or pouched quadru- 

 peds are really of this order, we see great powers of 

 jumping joined to the active defence of kicking with 

 their strong hind feet, the toes of which, from being 

 armed with sharp claws, are capable of inflicting severe 

 wounds. The cavies so nearly resemble the hares, 

 that they probably possess the same instincts regarding 

 personal safety. 



(15p.) On looking to the whales, or cetaceous quadru- 

 peds (Cetacea), the means of self-defence are not very 

 apparent, yet they are sufficient to protect these animals 

 from the few foes which they are likely to meet with 

 in their native element. In the true whales (Balance), 

 which are destitute of teeth, the only defence is in the 

 tail : this part, however, is highly flexible, and very 

 strong, and can be moved about on one side or the 

 other with great rapidity. It is well known that those 

 employed in the capture of this huge monster are ex- 

 posed to imminent danger ; for many instances are on 

 record where the whale, by a single stroke of its tail, 

 has dashed the boat to atoms, or has thrown it up in 

 the air, with all its crew, with as much ease as we 

 should toss away a pea-shell. Among the cachalots, or 

 spermaceti whales, we find large and strong teeth ; and 

 these monsters are described as the most agile, the most 

 audacious, and the most formidable of their congeners. 

 They are not only able to defend themselves, but they 

 seem to be among the most savage and voracious in- 

 habitants of the deep, " where they reign as despotic 



