KILLER, OR GRAMPUS. 445 



CETA CEA . LELPHINIDJi. 



(ODONTOCETl.) 



Genus Orca (J. E. Gray, 1850). 



Generic Cluiracter. — Head rounded, no distinct beak ; flippers oval, broad ; 

 dorsal tin high. Teeth large, conical, slightly curved, and permanent. 



KILLER, OR GRAMPUS. 



Orca gladiator (Lacepede), 



Specific Character. — Black above, white below, the colours Ijeing sharply 

 defined; a white spot above each eye. Teeth \\:\\ or \^-\l; vertebrae 50; ribs 

 11 or 12 pairs. 



Delphinus orca, Linnjjus, Syst. Nat. L 108 (1766). 



„ gladiator, Lacei-ede, Hist. Nat. des Get. 302 (1804). 

 Orca gladiator, J. E. Gray, Cat. Cet. Brit. Mas. 93 (1850). 



The application of the classical name Orca to this 

 genus is hardly supported by the few and meagre facts 

 recorded by ancient writers of the animal known to them 

 by that name. The description given by Pliny {Hist. 

 Nat. I. IX., c. vi.) of the capture of an Orca at the port 

 of Ostia in the presence of the Emperor Claudius, in 

 which one of the boats filled and sank in consequence of 

 the commotion produced by the blowing of the animal, 

 would seem to imj)ly that the story referred to a Cachelot, 

 rather than to a Grampus, as both the Cuviers have 



