5* OF CETACEOUS FISHES. 



the furface of the water. We are certain, that there is n« 



fuch receptacle for air among the vifcera of terref{;rial 



animals : The analogy however, is not 'here fo ftrong as 



to juftify us in denying the whale a particular provifiou 



of this nature, which the faiiors alTert that they have 



difcovered, and which the neceffities of the animal feeai 



to require. 



As the cetaceous lidies refemble terreftrial animals in 



their conformation, fo they are alfo diftinguifbed by fimi- 

 lar appetites and manners : Among them the aft of co- 

 pulation is faid to be performed 7nore huniano, and the fe- 

 male once in two years feels the accefs of defire. In the 

 inferior tribes of fifh we can difcern hardly any thing 

 like pairing between the males and females, and have 

 no veftiges of conjugal fidelity. The mutual attachment 

 of the whales, however, exceeds whatever we are told 

 of the Conftancy of birds. 



Whenever a pair of whales are attacked by the fifhers, 

 they mutually allift, it is allerted, in the defence of each 

 other ; and when one is wounded the other Hill attends 

 lending every aid in its power ; and no motives of fear 

 or felf prefervation can urge it to defert its affociate. An 

 inflancc is recorded * of one, v/hich, after maintaining an 

 obftinate contli£t in defence of its companion, that had 

 been ftruck with a harpoon, and on feeing it expire under 

 the w Grinds it had received, ftretched itfelf upon the dy- 

 ing liih and yielded up its breath at the fame inftant. 



The period of geftation among the cetaceous fifhes is 

 faid to be nine or ten months ; the female commonly 

 produces one, and never above two young. During the 

 time of her pregnancy, rind particularly at the birth of 



hey 



'* Anderfon's Didil. Com, 



