DWELLERS IN THE DEEP 



219 



They have no scales to reflect opalescence like 

 the fishes but in their place a blackish or dirty- 

 white skin that is interesting only for the ease 

 with which it slips through the water. The 

 larger members of the family are not often seen 

 along the steamer lanes of to-day. Occasionally 

 a black back will heave up at a distance^ look- 

 ing somewhat like an enormous water-soaked 

 log, and a spout of moisture-laden breath will 

 go up from it; but the sight is an unusual one. 



For the whales have their enemies and the 

 tribe has not increased. The sword fish, un- 

 abashed by bulk, is said to drive headlong into 

 the blubber of the great Mysticetus and killers 

 {Orca gladiator) in bands tear him with their 

 teeth almost as easily as a hermit crab disposes 

 of a collapsed oyster. Almost ever3i;hing in the 

 sea has an enemy, and from high to low there 

 is fierce struggle for life. Only a very few of 

 the ocean rovers escape. 



The turtle is one of the few. He seems to go 

 his way in peace, moving slowly, never in a 

 hurry, eating what he can get, and seeming to 

 have neither friend nor foe. On sea or land, 

 in the depths or on the surface, he is always 

 at home. His breathing apparatus is peculiar 

 in its large expanse of lung, and he exists read- 

 ily in either air or water. Sometimes for many 



Scarcity of 

 whales. 



Enemies of 

 the whale. 



The sea 

 turtle. 



