THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 



83 



however, that the Dolphin moves through the seas without 

 risk or danger; he, as well as others has vigilant and 

 powerful enemies. One is the Barracouta, in shape much 

 like a Pike, growing sometimes to a large size; one of 

 these cut off upwards of a foot of a Dolphin's tail, as if done 

 with an axe, as the Dolphin made for a baited hook; and I 

 may say we about divided the bounty. There is a degree 

 of sympathy existing between Dolphins quite remarkable; 

 the moment one of them is hooked or grained, all those in 

 company immediately make towards him, and remain close 

 to him till the unfortunate is hauled on board, then they 

 move off and will rarely bite. The skin of the fish is a tis- 

 sue of small scales, softer in their substance than is generally 

 the case in scaley fishes of such size; the skin is tough. 



We also caught a Porpoise about seven feet in length. 

 This was accomplished during the night, when the moon 

 gave me a full view of all that happened. The fish, con- 

 trary to custom, was grained instead of harpooned, but 

 grained in such a way and so effectually, through the fore- 

 head, that it was then held and suffered to flounce and 

 beat about the bow of the '..ip, until the man who had first 

 speared it gave the line holding the grain to our captain, 

 slid along the bobstay with a rope, then, after some little 

 time and perhaps some difficulty, the fish was secured im- 

 mediately about its tail, and hoisted with that part up- 

 wards. Arrived at the deck it gave a deep groan, much 

 like the last from a dying hog, flapped heavily once or 

 twice, and died. I had never before examined one of 

 these closely, and the duck-bill-like snout, and the curious 

 disposition of the tail, with the body, were new and interest- 

 ing matters of observation to me. The large, sleek, black 

 body, the quantity of warm, black blood issuing from 

 the wound, the blowing apertures placed over the fore- 

 head, — all attracted my attention. I requested it might 

 be untouched till the next morning, and my wish was 

 granted. On opening it the intestines were still warm 





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