ICHTHYOLOGY. 15 



conical shape, and nearly four feet in height. It 

 is a most voracious fish, preying chiefly on seals, 

 flat fish, and sometimes even on the porpoise. 



Q. Describe the Sea Sword ? 



A. Delphinus Gladiator, the Sea Sword, is ex- 

 tremely ferocious, and a deadly foe to the whale ; 

 several of these in company will attack the huge 

 but inoffensive animal, tearing out large pieces of 

 its flesh. When it becomes fatigued by the com- 

 bat, the whale lolls out its tongue, which is in- 

 stantly seized by its cruel enemies and torn from 

 its mouth. 



Q. Are there any remarkable species in the 

 genus Monodon ? 



A. The only species discovered as decidedly be- 

 longing to this class is the Monodon Monoceros, 

 Narwhal, or Unicorn Fish. This fish is about 

 twenty feet long and spotted ; it has only one 

 blow-hole and no teeth in the mouth, but, from 

 the upper jaw, there proceeds one long tooth *, 

 wreathed or twisted in a spiral form. 



Q. Is this fish useful to mankind ? 



A. Yes; its horn or tooth affords finer ivory 



Co'nical, a. in shape resembling a sugar-loaf. 

 Spiral, . like the twisting of a snail's shell. 



* Jn some subjects there are two. 

 B 2 



