BOOK OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 15.7 



whalebone. Every Whale yields, on an average, 

 from sixty to one hundred barrels of oil; which, 

 with the whalebone, a substance taken from the 

 upper jaw of%e animal, must render these creatures 

 very valuable in a commercial point of view. From 

 the Cacholet we derive that valuable commodity 

 spermaceti; and ambergris, the sweetest of perfumes, 

 is also frequently found in this animal. The skin of 

 the Shark is converted into shagreen. From a spe- 

 cies of the Sturgeon, we are supplied with isinglass. 

 From the Beluga-fish we derive that delicious com- 

 position called caviare, and also the Beluga stone; 

 The hide of the Huso is so tough and strong, that it 

 is employed for ropes in carts and other wheel car- 

 nages. 



As some of the volatile race seem to be formed to 

 please us with the beauty of their plumage, and de- 

 light us with the melody of their song, so a few of 

 the finny tribe are so exquisitely formed and beauti- 

 fully embellished, that they appear more calculated 

 for our pleasure and pastime, than for any intrinsic 

 value in another point of view. We do not here 

 merely allude to the little gold and silver natives of 

 China and Japan, which are trained and domesti- 

 cated to sport in our ponds, and amuse us with gam- 

 bols in our gardens, but to the Dorado and Gilt head, 

 which glide in the ocean, and the beautiful Drago- 

 net, which shines resplendent in the deep. These, 

 also, on some interesting occasions, may contribute 

 their mites towards the comforts of man. Gazing 

 on these from the side of the vessel that conveys him 



