50 ORCINUS. 
these sea-wolves, and from sheer love of slaughter more creatures are 
killed in their forays than can be devoured. They delight in blood 
and rapine, and the presence of the Killers can be detected in the 
seas they frequent by the lofty pointed dorsal fin standing above the 
surface of the ocean and cutting the water like the bow of some swift 
vessel, as the fierce creature beneath chases its prey. Orcas do not 
associate together in any large numbers, a dozen being perhaps the 
maximum, and whenever their presence is known, or the fins are seen 
cleaving the surface of the ocean, all animals fly for a refuge, even the 
ponderous Sea Lions seeking the shore. The Killers do not possess 
much oil, and consequently have little or no commercial value, but 
some coast Indians hunt them for their flesh, which they highly 
esteem. This Cetacean is usually seen in the vicinity of the Pribiloff 
Islands during the breeding season of the Fur Seals, and commits 
great destruction among the pups when these make their first 
attempts at swimming not far from shore, for it requires an expert in 
the art to be able to avoid the swift rush of this powerful mammal. 
21. Orcinus. Killer Whales. 
Orcinus Fitzin., Wiss-Popul. Naturg. Saugeth., vi, 1860, pp. 204- 
217. Type Delphinus orca Linneus. 
Orca Gray, Erebus and Terror, Zo6dl., 1846, p. 33, pls. 8-9. (nec 
Wagl, 1830.) 
Teeth large, stout, occupying nearly the entire length of the 
rostrum, which is broad, elongate, flattened above and rounded ante- 
riorly. Pterygoids separate; premaxille concave before the nares, 
narrow in the middle and widening towards end; head depressed, no 
beak; dorsal large, prominent, pointed; pectorals large, ovate; first 
and second vertebre, occasionally also the third, coalesced; ver- 
tebre, 52. 
Fic. XVII]. ORCINUS ORCA. KILLER WHALE. 
