FISHES. 483 



The great agility of these animals prevents their often being 

 taken. Tliey sehiom remain a moment above water ; some- 

 times, indeed, their too eager pursuits expose them to danger ; 

 and a shoal of herrings often allures them out of their depth. In 

 such a case, the hungry animal continues to flounder in the shal- 

 lows till knocked on the head, or till the returning tide seasona- 

 bly comes to its relief. But all this tribe, and the dolphin in 

 particular, are not less swift than destructive. No fish could 

 escape them, but from the awkward position of the mouth, vvhicii 

 is placed in a manner under the bead : yet, even with these dis- 

 advantages, their depredations are so great, that they have been 

 justly styled the plunderers of the deep. 



What could induce the ancients to a predilection in favour 

 of these animals, particularly the dolphin, it is not easy to ac- 

 count for. Historians and philosophers seem to have contended 

 who should invent the greatest number of fables concerning 

 them. The dolphin was celebrated in the earliest time for its 

 fondness to the human race, and was distinguished by the epi- 

 thets of the boy-loving and philanthropist. Scarcely an accident 

 could happen at sea, but the dolphin offered himself to convey 

 the unfortunate to shore. The musician flung into the sea by 

 pirates, the boy taking an airing in the midst of the sea, and re- 

 turning again in safety, were obliged to the dolphin for its ser- 

 vices. It is not easy, I say, to assign a cause why the ancients 

 should thus have invented so many fables in their favour. The 

 figure of these animals is far from prejudicing us in their in- 

 terest ; their extreme rapacity tends still less to endear them ; I 

 know nothing that can reconcile them to man and excite his pre- 

 judices, except that when taken they sometimes have a plaintive 

 moan, with which they continue to express their pain till they 

 expire. This, at first, might have excited human pity ; and that 



tlifi naiue of Delphinus Gangeticus. Its body (including the licad) is loiijf 

 and sifnder, tliickest about the fore-part, and from tlienco tapering to tho 

 tail ; from the anus forward nearly round. The skin is soft, smooth, and of 

 k bliining pcarl.gray when dry, with here and there light-coloured spots or 

 clouds, particularly when old. When the animal is alive, and seen in the 

 art of rising to breathe, it appears much darker. Tho length of the indivi. 

 dual which Dr Uo.Kburgh examined (and whiili was young, little more than 

 half grown,) was six and a half li'et, and at the thickest part, which is 

 rather behind the pectoral fins, three feet in circumference. The weight 120 

 pounds. 



2s2 



