NARWHAL. 437 



ing to the keel and playing about the rudder for a con- 

 siderable time." 



The food of this species consists of various mollusks 

 and fish. Scoresby,' having found the remains of large 

 flat-fish in a Narwhal's stomach, thought it probable that 

 the tusk was used in spearing them, as it seemed impos- 

 sible that an animal with such a small mouth could 

 otherwise capture a large Ray or Skate. But if the 

 tusk is necessary for procuring food, it appears difficult 

 to understand why it is not usually developed in the 

 female as well as the male. 



In most cases one young one only is produced, but 

 an instance of a female containing two is recorded in 

 Vol. XV. of the " Linnaean Transactions." 



The valuable products of the Narwhal are its oil and 

 ivory. Its blubber, which is usually about three inches in 

 thickness, yields about half a ton of very superior oil, 

 which, as well as the flesh, is considered a great delicacy 

 by the Greenlanders. The tusk is composed of a very 

 dense and beautifully white ivory, which commands a 

 high price in the market in the middle ages it was still 

 more valuable, being believed to be the horn of the 

 Unicorn of fable, and was fashioned into cups, which 

 were supposed to possess the valuable power of detecting 

 and neutralizing any poison poured into them. The 

 Narwhal is harpooned in the same way as other Whales ; 

 when struck, it dives with great velocity, often to a depth 

 of two hundred fathoms, but soon returns to the surface, 

 when it is easily despatched with lances. 



" The word Narwhal," says the Rev. Mr. Barclay, " is 

 Gothic, and means literally ' the beaked Whale,' from 

 the Gothic nar, Icelandic ner, a beak or projecting snout." 



The forehead is rounded, and a slight depression marks 

 the neck. The mouth is small, the jaws pointed, and 



