PORPOISE. 459 



approach of a storm, or even in the midst of the tempest, 

 they appear to revel among the waves, showing their 

 black backs above the surface, and often throwing 

 themselves wholly out of the water in their vigorous 

 leaps. 



The Porpoise is an inhabitant of the North Atlantic, 

 usually found near the shore, and hardly ever met with 

 far from land. It is migratory in its habits to some 

 extent. In Greenland, according to Fabricius, it is 

 rarely seen in winter, and the same is observed in Orkney 

 by Messrs. Baikie and Heddle. Eschricht observes that 

 it enters the Baltic in spring through the Sound, in 

 pursuit of the Herrings, and leaves in autumn by the 

 Little Belt. On the coast of Finmark, however, it is 

 stated by Herr Malmgren to be present at all seasons. 



The food of the Porpoise consists mainly of fish, and 

 it may constantly be observed in pursuit of such species as 

 go in large shoals, as Mackerel, Pilchards, and Herrings ; 

 we have known over two dozen freshly-swallowed fish of 

 the last-named species to be found in the stomach of 

 a small Porpoise. It is also very destructive amongst 

 Salmon when they are entering the mouths of rivers, and 

 is not uncommonly taken in the nets that have been set 

 for its victims. 



Porpoises often ascend rivers in pursuit of fish, and 

 they were formerly not uncommonly seen high up the 

 Thames, even above London Bridge. We were informed 

 by our friend Dr. Thomas Bell Salter, of Poole, that 

 many years ago three which wandered up the Wareham 

 river were made prisoners, fences being put across the 

 river above and below them, but they plunged so violently, 

 and their cries, which were continued by night as well as 

 by day, were so distressing, that they were put out of 

 pain on the third day of their captivity : one of them 



