VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



similarity of form, and the alternate disposition of 

 the teeth ; the shortness and immobility of the neck ; 

 the coarse, fibrous, and spongy texture of the bones, 

 and the thickness of the skull, together with the 

 fixed condition of the bones of the face, affording, 

 as in those formidable reptiles, a stronger resistance 

 during their conflicts with living prey.* 



The fables which the ancients delighted to invent 

 of the intelligence and docility of the Dolphin, and 

 of its love for mankind, are of course unworthy of 

 the serious consideration of the naturalist. Still 

 there is much in its manners that is interesting. No 

 one can have crossed the ocean, without having had 

 the tedium of the voyage often relieved by the sport- 

 ive gambols of the common Dolphin, (D. Delphis.) 

 First seen near the horizon, the shoal pours down to 

 the ship with the swiftness of the wind, leaping in 

 their course several feet out of water, and when ar- 

 rived, shooting round the object of their curiosity 

 with incredible velocity, then herding immediately 

 under her bows, they continue to romp and frolic 

 there as if she were at anchor, often accompanying 

 her for several miles. 



The form of the Dolphins is rounded, tapering 

 gracefully to the tail : the head large and round. The 

 skin is without hair, exceedingly smooth and glossy, 

 and the white belly of the common species is beau- 

 tifully clear and pure. The true Dolphins are dis- 

 tinguished from the Porpoises (Phoccena f) by the 



* Proc. Zool. Soc. 1833, p. 65. 



f QuKKtva, pJiokaina, from Quw, jrioke, a seal. 



