HOW A HUMPBACK DIVES AND SPOUTS 



seen from the Atlantic passenger vessels, and may 

 easily be recognized because when "sounding," or 

 going under for a deep dive, the flukes are almost in- 

 variably drawn out of the water ; the finback and blue 

 whales, the two other common species, seldom show 

 the flukes. 





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A humpback whale "sounding." "The humpback comes up 

 obliquely, and, as soon as the spout has been delivered, 

 arches the back and begins to revolve." 



When a humpback dives the easy grace with which 

 the animal manipulates its huge, ungainly body and 

 great propeller-like tail, drawing it out of the water 

 smoothly but with irresistible force, always gives me 

 a thrill of admiration. I remember one day, while 

 crossing the Atlantic on the Kronprinz Wilhclm, a 

 humpback came up not far from the ship and swam 

 parallel with her for several minutes. Each time the 

 big fellow drew himself up, slowly rolled over, and 

 brought his flukes out, an involuntary cheer went up 



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