THE WHALES. 17 



cuttles and other large molluscs, while others are 

 almost entirely fish-eaters. Now, the earth does not 

 supply animal life in the teeming abundance which is 

 required in order to supply these vast beings with 

 food, and their lot is, in consequence, cast in the 

 sea, which absolutely swarms with animal life in many 

 forms. 



When, therefore, one of the whale tribe happens to 

 be stranded, it is sure to die, as does a fish when 

 thrown ashore, though from different causes. The fist 

 dies because it is nearly as incapable of breathing 

 atmospheric air as is a man of breathing under water, 

 whereas the whale dies for want of food. These 

 animals act towards the small creatures which consti- 

 tute their food much as do the vegetable- eating mam- 

 mals of the land towards the leaves and herbage on 

 which they feed. 



They do not seem to ha ye any particular time for 

 feeding ; but during all their waking hours are almost 

 constantly engaged in taking food. A short sojourn 

 on shore, therefore, is fatal to them, because they are 

 deprived of the food supply which is absolutely neces- 

 sary to their existence. Indeed, there are many true 

 fishes, some of which will be mentioned in their places, 

 which can live upon land very much longer than can a 

 whale, or even a porpoise, and which are quite at 

 home on the land, where they can not only breathe, 

 but even obtain food. 



It is no wonder that creatures which are so fish- 

 like in their habits that they die like fish when taken 

 from the water, should be mistaken for fish. Indeed, 

 so deeply rooted is this idea, that many persons flatly 



