544 



THE GRAMPUS. 



the abdomen and part of the sides. There is generally a white patch of considerable 

 size immediately above and rather behind the eyelid. 



The name Grampus appears to be a corruption of the French word " Grand-poisson," 

 just as porpoise is a transmuted form of " porc-poisson." 



Although it sometimes wanders into more southern regions, its favored home is in 

 the northern seas that wash the coasts of Greenland and Spitzbergen, where it con- 

 gregates in small herds. It is a very wolf in its constant hunger, and commits great 

 havoc among the larger fish, such as the cod, the skate, and the halibut, caring little 

 for the smaller fry. At times it is said to make systematic attacks on seals, by start- 

 ling them from their slumber as they lie sunning themselves on the rocks or ice, and 

 seizing them as the half-sleeping animals plunge instinctively into the sea. Even the 

 smaller porpoises and dolphins fall victims to the insatiable appetite of the Grampus, 

 as has been proved by the discovery of their remains in the dissected stomach of one 

 of these animals. 



It has been frequently seen on the British coasts, and on more than one occasion 

 has been killed in the rivers which it had ascended in chase of its prey. 



GRAMPUS. Delphlnus Grampus. 



A Grampus was captured nearly opposite Greenwich Hospital in 1772, and was so 

 swift and powerful, that after it had been struck with three harpoons, and covered with 

 lance wounds, it twice dragged the boat from Blackwall to Greenwich, and once ran as 

 far as Deptford, going at a rate of eight miles per hour against the tide. The struggles 

 of the wounded animal were so formidable, that none of the boats could approach it. 

 Several other specimens of this animal have been caught in the same river at different 

 times, one being twenty-four feet in length, and another measuring more than thirty feet. 



The Frith of Forth seems to be a favorite spot for these errant cetacea, which are 

 evidently attracted by the salmon and other fresh-water fish which may be found in 

 those waters. 



It is said that the Grampuses are fond of amusing themselves by mobbing the Green- 

 land whale, just as the little birds mob owls when they venture forth in the daytime, 

 and that they persecute it by leaping out of the water and striking it sharply with their tails 

 as they descend. The Americans, in consequence, have called it by the name of Thresher, 

 or Killer. The sword-fish is reported to join the Thresher in this amusement, and 

 to prevent the whale from diving by attacking it from below. Whatever credence may 

 be given to the latter part of the story, the former is certainly true, and is corroborated 

 by Captain Scott, who tells me that he has often seen the Thresher engaged in this strange 



