ORDER VI. THE CETACEA. 255 



covering is removed, is black. Tlie pectoral fins arc larger and more pointed, 

 and the loijes of tlie tail are less marked, tiian in tlie former species. These 

 whales frequent the bays oft' Terra del Fnego, tlie western coast of South 

 America, and the coasts of Now Holland and Africa. Tiic females visit the 

 Cajic of Good Hope in June, for the [)ur[)ose of bringing i'ortii their yoinig. 

 It is not so valual)le in connncrce, and cousequently is not so much hunted, 

 as its great northern congener. 



Genus Rorqualus. The generic characters of this genus are, absence 

 of teeth, short baleen, a dorsal fin, and folds under tlie chin, which appen- 

 dage suggested the name, Ilorqualus, a Norwegian word, signifying a wlialc 

 with folds. Tliese folds are capable of inflation, and for a long time per- 

 perplexcd naturalists, who designated them "swimming bladders." They ap- 

 pear, however, to be simply an apparatus for enlarging the cap)acity of the 

 mouth. 



li. BoreaJts. — The Great Xorthern Eorqual. This animal is the largest 

 and miglitiest of all known created beings, often showing a length of one 

 hundred and ten feet. The rorqual does not have that peculiar structure 

 in the upper jaw for procuring food which is possessed by the Greenland 

 whale, but the lower jaw is amply furnished for this purpose. A\'lien it 

 opens its immense mouth, the inrushing waters open tiiese folds, and so a 

 prodigious net is formed, in whicli its prey is taken ; tlien closing the mouth 

 and contracting tlie folds, the water is expelled, whilst the vast baleen strainer 

 retains the mollusks and fish on which it feeds. Its jiovverof blowing is very 

 great, and in calm weather the sound may be heard at the distance of many 

 miles. The blubber is about six or eight inches thick, and does not yield a 

 great quantity of oil, sometimes none at all ; consequently its products are 

 less valuable than those of other species. 



This whale, as if conscious of its strength, is a fearless animal, never 

 attempting to outstrip the pursuing boats in tJic race, but merely endeavors 

 to avoid them by diving and changing its direction. It manifests not only 

 the same strong affection and attachment as tlie other species noticed, but 

 appears to exhibit an extraordinary conjugal regard. Lacepcde remarks, 

 that " the male and female seem united by the strongest bonds of affection. 

 Duhamel reports that two were taken in 1723, which were swimming along 

 together. The one which remained free manifested mucli uneasiness when 

 its companion was wounded, and swam to the boat, and with one stroke of 

 its tail killed three of the men, and hurled them into the sea. The two re- 

 mained to the last in close company with each other, and when the one was 

 killed the other uttered lamentable and terrible cries." 



R. Minor. — The Lesser Rorqual. This species, which rarely exceeds 

 twenty-five feet in length, although possessing many of the characters of the 



