BRITISH MAMMALS 



It is the only British species included in the genus 

 Megaptera, measuring about fifty feet in length, and is 

 black in colour. 



In spite of their massive bodies and huge proportions, 

 (a specimen which was stranded off the Yorkshire coast 

 it was estimated weighed seventy tons !), Whales are 

 tenderly solicitous for the welfare of their young ; the 

 mother Hump-back in particular being provided with 

 long arms by means of which she not only lashes out at 

 her enemies, but also uses them for carrying her young 

 calf through the depths of the sea. This motherly care 

 on the part of the monarch of the deep is of great interest, 

 for, if not thus protected from Sharks and other predatory 

 creatures, the young Hump-back would doubtless fall 

 an easy prey to their cunning and ferocity. 



The young calf is, it must be remembered, only a 



slim-built creature a few feet in length, and appears to 



have little or no idea of the dangers which beset it, as 



rather than be tenderly hugged to its mother's side, 



it does everything possible to escape from her protective 



clutches ! The mother, ever anxious for the security 



of her ill-mannered babe, makes for a hiding-place when 



pursued, and will even remain hidden sufficiently long 



to run the risk of starvation rather than allow her young 



to be taken. The male is known as the bull ; the female 



as the cow ; the young as the calf, and it must be an 



engaging sight to witness all three playing about together 



when no danger is near. This, we are assured, they are 



fond of doing. Whales, being mammals hke ourselves, 

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