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152 WHALES AND PORPOISES 



The Dolphin. — Few persons cross the Atlantic, or make 

 a voyage of half a dozen days in any direction, without see- 

 ing a school of dolphins. In fact, it might almost be said that 

 every voyage has its dolphins. As a rule, they do not ap- 

 pear until passengers have recovered from sea-sickness, and 

 are on deck, eagerly scanning the surface of the sea for living- 

 things. 



To most voyagers, the sudden appearance of a school of 

 dolphins is a thrilling sight. Hour after hour the eye scans 

 the watery expanse, eager for a sign of life, or gazes with awe 

 and fear into the dark, watery abyss below. Suddenly, out 

 of the steep side of a green-topped wave leap forth a dozen 

 shining, sharp-pointed forms. They seem joyous and full of 

 power, like acrobats entering an arena. In. sublime igno- 

 rance of man's rapacious nature, they confidently swim within 

 twenty feet of the ship's side. They curve up to the surface, 

 frequently leaping clear of the water, arch their bodies, 

 breathe quickly, and dive again. For a few yards, perhaps, 

 they race along under water, but in plain view, then some leap 

 out again. How easily they keep pace with the ship! Their 

 mastery of old Ocean is so complete that it is a wonderful 

 thing to see. 



Sometimes the animals are so near the ship that the 

 species can be determined to a certainty, especially those 

 which are marked by light colors. However, it is no disgrace 

 to any naturalist to declare his inability to say positively 

 what species is alongside. 



Dolphins are particularly fond of playing around the 

 bow of a ship ; but for some reason best known to themselves, 



