12 CATECHISM OF 



the ship, and several men, with irons on their feet, 

 to prevent their slipping, get on its body, and, 

 with long knives, cut out pieces of fat about three 

 feet thick and eight long, which are called blub- 

 ber ; these are put up in barrels and brought home 

 for the purpose of having the oil extracted * ; the 

 rest of the carcase is turned adrift, to be the prey 

 of bears, voracious fish, and sea fowl. 



Q. What are the distinguishing characteristics 

 of the 2nd class, or Physeter ? 



A . The most prominent characteristics are, that 

 the jaws are unequal and furnished with teeth, 

 which are sometimes straight, and sometimes 

 curved, like a sickle. Below the snout is the ca- 

 vity, from whence most of the Spermaceti is ob- 

 tained. 



Q. What are the principal species of this genus ? 



A. Physeter Macrocephalus, or large Sperma- 

 ceti Whale ; Physeter Trumpo, or blunt-headed 

 Cachelot ; and Physeter Microps -, black-headed 

 Cachelot. Of these, the first being the largest, 

 will serve as a specimen of the rest. 



Q. Give some particulars of the Macrocephalus. 



Curved, a. crooked, bent. 



* The tat of the whale lies next the skin as iu swine. 



