2G0 DIVISION I. VEIiTEBKAL ANIJIALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



iV". ])IivnirrpJiahit<. — Tlic Xarwlial, or Soa Unicorn. Tlie Icngtli of tins 

 species, including the tut^k, is from twenty to twent^'-six feet. The pectoral 

 fins arc very small, eonsitlering the size, and in place of tiie dorsal fin there is 

 an irregular fatty ridge, two inches in height, extending between two and 

 three feet along the back. 'Tiie prevailing color is blackish-gray on the back, 

 variegated with numerous darker spots running into each other, and forming 

 a dusky-bluck surface, with paler and more open spots of gray on a white 

 ground at tlie sides, which spots disappear altogether on tiie licllv. In old 

 anin)als the ground is wholly wliitc, or yellowish-white, witli blackish spots. 



The narwhal has no teeth, l.iut its mouth is furnished with tlie two spirally- 

 twisted tusks already mentioned. It is not often, however, that both tusks are 

 developed, the right one remaining a mere germ, shut up in tlie bone. It 

 ■would be diificult to find an ex[)lanation of this singular piicnomcnon. This 

 tusk is probably a weapon of del'encc, and also a means of capturing the fish 

 on \\liich it feeds. Its hal)itat appears to l)e between 70^ and 80'^ of north 

 latitude, altiiough it sometimes strays farther south. 



I'^roni an interesting accoiuit of this creature, l)y the younger Scorseliy, we 

 infer tliat it is of a playful cliaracter and disposition. "A great many nar- 

 whals,"' lie says, "were often sporting about us, sometimes in bands of fil'teen 

 or twenty togetiier ; in several of tiieni each animal had a long Jiorn ; tiipy 

 were extremely playful, frequently elevating their horns, and crossing them 

 with each other, as in fencing. In tlic sporting of these animals they emitted 

 a very unusual sound, resembling the gurgling of water in the throat, \\'liieh 

 it prol)al)ly was, as it only occurred when they reared tlieir horns, witli the 

 front i)ait of th(^ head and mou(h cjut of tiie water. Several of tlicni followed 

 the ship, and seemed to be attracted by tiie j)rinciplc of curiosity at tlic sight 

 of so unusual an ol>jcct. Tlie water being perfectly transparent, they could 

 be scon descending to the keel, and playing about tiie rudder for a con- 

 siderable time." 



The bluljber is from two to four inclies in thickness, and yields about a 

 half ton of very superior oil. The Grccnlanders esteem the fiesii highly. In 

 the days of superstiti(Jii the horns or tusks were believed to possess mystical 

 and curative powers wiiieli easily overcame tlie most inveterate diseases. 

 They are, indeed, at the present day, of great value as an article of commerce, 

 the ivory being of an extreinc density and hardness, and of a dazzling white- 

 ness, which does not tarnish, and wliich is capable of receiving a very iiigh 

 polish. 



Genus Diodons. Tlie diodons have only two teeth, Ijotii in the lower 

 jaw. This genus comprises two species, 1>. LlcKiiinrrsli, and D. Sotcvrln. 

 Of the habitat and liabits of these animals notliing is known. Tlic length is 

 about sixteen feet, and the color black above, and white below. 



