THE PORPOISE, OR PORPESSE. 



might be thrown overbroad. In the present day, however, the Porpoises are so fright- 

 ened at the paddles and screws, that they remain at a respectful distance from the boat 

 content themselves with keeping pace with the vessels for a course of some miles, and 

 then drop astern to rejoin their companions. 



The Porpoise is a very gregarious animal, herding together in large shoals, and 

 sometimes swimming in " Indian file " as they shoot over the surface of the sea ; just 

 showing their black and glossy backs above the water, and keeping such excellent line 

 that they seem to be animated by one spirit and one will. 



As might be presumed from the formidable array of sharp teeth with which the jaws 

 are studded, and which are so arranged that the upper and lower sets interlock when the 

 animal closes its mouth, the food of the Porpoise consists entirely of animal substances 

 and almost wholly of fish, which it consumes in large quantities, much to the disgust of 

 human fishmen. Herrings, pilchards, sprats, and other saleable fish, are in great 

 favor with the Porpoise, which pursues its finny prey to the very shores, and, driv- 

 ing among the vast shoals in which these fish congregate, destroys enormous quantities 



PORPOISE, OR PORPESSE. Phocasaa commuais. 



of them. The fish are conscious of the presence of their destroyer, and flee before it 

 in terror, often flinging themselves into the certain death of nets or shallow water in 

 their hope to escape from the devouring jaws of the Porpoise. Even salmon and such 

 large fish fall frequent victims to their pursuer, which twists, turns, and leaps with such 

 continuous agility that it is more than a match for its swift and nimble prey. Not even 

 the marvellous leaping powers of the salmon are sufficient to save them from the vora- 

 cious Porpoise, which is not to be baffled by any such impotent devices. 



The Porpoises seems to keep closely to the coasts, and is seldom seen in mid-ocean. 

 It appears to be a migratory animal, as the season of its disappearance from one locality 

 generally coincides with its arrival on some other coast. It is very widely spread, 

 appearing to inhabit with equal security the warm waters of the Mediterranean, the 

 cool seas of our own coasts, or the icy regions of the high latitudes. 



Many of these animals have been found in our rivers, which they have evidently 

 ascended with the idea of varying their diet by a few meals on fresh-water fish or in hope 

 of chasing the salmon into their spawning grounds. The Thames was in former days 

 noted for the number of Porpoises which have been seen in its waters, one animal having 

 ascended the river until it passed London Bridge. It is now, however, a longtime since a 



