262 SEA FABLES EXPLAINED. 



left Peterhead, he remained there for a few days as the 

 guest of Captain David Gray, of the steam whaler, 

 "Eclipse," and as it was reported that large whales had 

 been seen in the offing, his host invited him to go in search 

 of them, and pay them a visit in his steam-launch. When 

 about twelve miles out, they saw the whales, which were 

 "finners," at a distance of four or five miles. Fourteen 

 were counted all large ones some of which were seventy 

 feet in length. On approaching them the captain shut off 

 steam, and the launch was allowed to float in amongst 

 them. So close were they to the boat that it would not 

 have been difficult to jump upon the back of one of them 

 had that been desirable. Mr. Bartlett tells me that he was 

 greatly astonished by the immense force of the sudden out- 

 rush of air from their blow-holes, and the noise by which it 

 was accompanied. He believes that the blast was strong 

 enough to blow a man off the spiracle if he were seated on 

 it. He authorises me to say that having seen and watched 

 these whales under such favourable circumstances, he 

 entirely agrees with all that I have here written concerning 

 the so-called " spout." The volume of hot, vaporous breath 

 expelled is enormous, and this is accompanied by no small 

 quantity of water, forced up by it when the blow-hole is 

 opened below the surface. 



An effect similar in appearance to the whale's spout is 

 produced by the breathing of the hippopotamus. When 

 this great beast opens its nostrils beneath the surface, 

 water and spray are driven and scattered upward by the 

 force of the air, but, of course, do not issue from the nasal 

 passages. I have, also, seen this effect produced, though 

 in a less degree, by the breathing of sea-lions. 



I repeat, therefore, that not a drop of sea-water enters or 

 passes out of the blow-hole of a whale. If the spiracle 



