232 THE OCEAN. 



stated that he had been observing a Sperm \Vhale 

 during the time it had remained at the surface to 

 breathe, which afterwards went through the evolution 

 of peaking its flukes in the usual manner, and dis- 

 appeared. As it was a Large Whale, and as he knew 

 it was likely to remain under water for a considerable 

 time, he scarcely expected to see it again. However, 

 in this he was mistaken ; for after it had disappeared 

 only for a few minutes, it again rose, apparently 

 in great trepidation, and as it reared -with, great 

 velocity, half of its huge body projected out of the 

 water. Gaining, however, in a few seconds the hori- 

 zontal position, it went on at its utmost speed, going 

 head-out ; the moment after which he saw a fish, 

 somewhat resembling a Conger-eel in figure, but 

 rathof more bulky, and to all appearance about six 

 or eight feet in length, flying itself liigh out of the 

 water after the Whale, and fall clumsily on its back, 

 which caused still more alarm to the immense but 

 timid animal, so that it beat the water with its tail, 

 and reared its enormous head so violently, that 

 sounds from the former could be heard at a great 

 distance : it still, however, continued its rapid career, 

 receiving every few minutes the unwelcome visits 

 of its galling adversary. My informant had good 

 reason to believe that some other animal was at the 

 same time attacking it from below ; for on more 

 than one occasion, he saw some animal dart at times 

 to the surface with amazing quickness, aS if engaged 

 with great fury in the contest ; and which, lie 

 supposes, prevented the Whale from descending, in 

 which he had the power, no doubt, if he had not 



