2G6 DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



floats, a lifeless mass, upon the lilood-staiucd waters. On account of these 

 reported exploits, the Americans have given to this animal the name of 

 Thrasher, or Killer. 



We have thought proper to introduce here the prevailing opinion in regard 

 to the disposition of the grampus, and his surprising combats with the true 

 whale, although we have reason to believe that these wonderful stories, which 

 have been so often reiterated that they are current in all lands, are little more 

 than romantic fictions. The same may be said of those \vild legends which 

 represent the sword-fish, saw-lish, and grampus marching in company to at- 

 tack the huge mysticctus, sawing him, piercing him, and tlirashing him, until 

 he succumbs to their furious blows. The saw-fish never attacks the true 

 whale, the sword-fish never intentionally, and it remains to be seen whether 

 the grampus is not eijually innocent of such ferocious proceedings against its 

 great congener. 



1''. Grlscus. This species is very rare, a stray individual, taken on the west 

 coast of France, being the only one, so far as we know, wliieli has ever been 

 observed and examined by naturalists. This specimen was ten feet in length, 

 of a liluisli-black color al)ove, and white beneatii. There were no teeth in tlie 

 upper jaw, and but eight in the lower. In disposition and habit it a])pears 

 to resemble the deductor or ca'ing whale, associating in groups, and uttering 

 loud cries when in danger. 



P. Blvittatus. — The Striped Porpoise. This beautiful little animal is 

 the most diminutive of the whale group, being not over two and a half feet 

 long, and ten inches thick. The upper half of the body is of a deep, shining 

 black color : the belly and lower jaw are white, whilst a large streak of satiny- 

 white runs along each side. The pectoral fins are thin and white, except at 

 the anterior edge, which is black. It belongs to the southern hemisphere, fre- 

 quenting the Falkland Islands, in the vicinity of wliicli it often sports around 

 ships, fiillowing them even when the sea is high, springing over the billows, 

 and apparently enjoying the resistance experienced from the agitated waves. 



Genus DELnnxu.S. A convex foreliead, and a snout — in form of a 

 beak — separated from tiie forehead by a marked furrow, are the distinguish- 

 ing features of the genus. 



Z>. Dt'lphl^. — -The Common Dolphin. The Greeks regarded this animal 

 with superstitious reverence, and paid it divine honors. It was sacred to tlie 

 god Apollo, and figures in numerous poems and fables of antiquity. The 

 story of the musician Arion and the dolphin is well known. 



The old naturalists, too, tell marvellous tales of its exjiloits, and its affec- 

 tion and devotion to man. Pliny relates that a dolphin used to frequent the 

 sliore, near the town of Hippo, in Barl)ary, and accept food from any hand 

 which would supply it. It would mis among those who were bathing, allow 



