146 PORPOISE, SALAMANDER. 



equally voracious, active and roving. No fish could escape 

 them, but for the awkward position of their mouth, which 

 is placed in a manner under the head; and their own 

 agility is so great as to prevent them from being often 

 taken. 



THE PORPOISE 



Very much resembles the dolphin, and is of the same 

 genus. Its length, from the tip of the snout to the end of 

 the tail, is from five to eight feet ; and the width about two 

 feet and a half. The figure of the whole body is conical ; 

 the colour of the back is deep blue, inclining to shining 

 black ; the sides are grey, and the belly white. When the 

 flesh is cut up, it looks very much like pork : but, although 

 it was once considered a sumptuous article of food, and 

 is said to have been occasionally introduced at the tables 

 of the old English nobility, it certainly has a disagreeable 

 flavour. 



Their motion in the water is a kind of circular leap ; 

 they dive deep, but soon again rise up in order to breathe. 

 They are seen nearly in all seas, where they sport with 

 great activity, chiefly on the approach of a squall. 



THE SALAMANDER 



Is found in many parts of Germany, Italy, France, &c. 

 It delights in moist and shady places, and is chiefly seen 

 in rainy weather. In winter it hides in the hollow roots 

 of old trees, in holes under ground, or in walls. The 

 colours of the salamander are remarkable ; being of a 

 deep shining black, with large oblong patches of bright 

 orange colour. In many parts of its body are found large 

 open pores, whence oozes a peculiar liquid, destined to 

 soften the skin ; this appears more suddenly, and in larger 

 quantities, when the animal is disturbed; it is white, 

 slightly caustic, and can be ejected to a considerable 

 distance. This circumstance may have given rise to the 

 fable of the salamander's being so cold in itself, as to defy 

 the power of fire ; like all other moist animals, it requires 



