CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 12. CETACEA. 



659 



Two other species of Hyperoodon are described by Dr. J. E. Gray, H. Desmarestii and H. lati- 

 frons. The latter is a native of the North Sea, and has been taken on the coast of Lancashire. 



Of the Genus ZIPHIUS, Ziphius, is the Physeter bidens of Sowerby, the Diodon bidens of 

 Bell. The head of a specimen caught in Scotland is now in the museum at Oxford. Dr. Gray 

 observes that it belongs to the genus Ziphius of Cuvier, before only known in the fossil state; and 

 the examination of the skull has proved the accuracy of these determinations. 



Z. Sechellensis, named from a skull in the museum at Paris, was brought from the Sechelles. 



Genus DELPHINORHYNCHUS : Delphinorhynchus. — This presents the D. micropterus, first 

 described by De Blainville. It inhabits the seas of the coast of Europe. 



Genus MONODON: Monodon. — Of this is the Narwhal, Unicorn, or Unicorn- Whale, 

 M. monoceros. When young it is black, when old whitish-marbled. Although it has some- 

 times two tusks, it has more frequently one, from which it derives its name of Unicorn. It in- 

 habits the Northern Ocean. The use of the tusk, which is usually found only on the male, and 

 is six to eight feet long, is doubtful ; probably, however, it serves as a weapon of defense. The 

 Narwhal feeds on mollusca, and swims with great swiftness ; when at the surface it blows repeat- 

 edly, and then lies motionless for several minutes. The blubber yields a fine oil, which, as well 

 as the flesh, is considered a dainty by the Greenlanders, who capture the animal with the har- 

 poon. The ivory of the tusk is considered superior to that of the elephant. The celebrated 

 throne of the Danish kings is made of this article. 



THE BELUGA. 



Genus BELUGA : Beluga. — Of this is the Northern Beluga, Round-headed Cachalot;, 

 Small Catodon or AVhite Whale, B. catodon, the Pkyseter catodon of Linnaeus. When 

 young it is black, when mature white, sometimes having a yellowish or rosy tinge. It is twelve 

 to eighteen feet long, feeds on fish, and is esteemed good eating by the inhabitants of the north- 

 ern countries, the seas of which it frequents. It abounds in Hudson Bay, Davis's Strait, and along 

 the shores of Kamtschatka. It sometimes ascends large rivers, and is often observed near Que- 

 bec. It is seen in shoals of forty to fifty, which frequently follow ships and frolic in the water 

 around them. They usually flock to the east coast of Greenland, where they are a serviceable 

 supply to the inhabitants. The oil of the Beluga is of the finest quality ; the skin of the animal 

 is wrought into morocco, and the internal membranes are used for windows and bed-curtains. 



The B. Kingii is found near the coasts of Australia. 



Genus NEOMERIS : Neomeris. — Of this there is a single species, the N. phoccenoides, a kind 

 of dolphin found in the Indian Ocean. 



Genus PIIOCiENA : Phoccena. — This includes the Common Porpoise or Porpesse, P. com- 

 munis, probably the Tursio of Pliny, the Marsouin of the French, Porco Pcsce of the Italians, 

 and the Meerschivein of the Germans. This is from four to eight feet long, and nearly of a black 

 color above, beneath whitish. They are found in all northern seas, and even in the bays, and har- 

 bors along our coasts. They swim in shoals, and drive the mackerel, herrings, and salmon before 

 them, pursuing them up the bays with the same eagerness that a pack of dogs hunt the hare. In 



