DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF BRITISH GCETACEA. 11 
commonest of all the Cetacea which visit the coasts of Great 
Britain. 
Genus Delphinus, Linn. 
In some respects not unlike Phocena, but distinguished at once 
by its head, which, instead of being rounded, has a prolonged 
beak,* and double the number of teeth. 
Delphinus delphis, Linneus. Common Dolphin.—Exceeds the 
Porpoise in size, attaining a length of from 6 to 8 feet. The 
vertebre vary from 70 to 75 in number. The jaws are long and 
powerful, the lips thin and compressed. The teeth, of which there 
are from 40 to 50 on each side of both jaws, are acute and slightly 
curved, and those in the upper jaw fit very regularly between those 
in the lower. The colour is black, gradually shaded through grey on 
the sides to pure white beneath. The Common Dolphin appears 
to have a much more extensive range than the Porpoise, being 
found in the more temperate regions on both sides of the North 
Atlantic and in the Mediterranean. It is by no means uncommon 
off our own coasts, and is not unfrequently captured in fishermen’s 
nets. 
Delphinus tursio, Fabricius. Bottle-nosed Dolphin. — Much 
larger than the common species, averaging from 8 to 12 feet, but 
with not much more than half the number of vertebra (41) and 
half the number of teeth (20 to 25 on each side of both jaws). The 
beak is shorter than in the last-named species, as also are the 
dorsal fin and flippers. The name “ Bottle-nosed” has been 
bestowed from the shape of the skull. 
Delphinus acutus, Gray. White-sided Dolphin.—About equal 
in size to the Common Dolphin, averaging from 6 to 8 feet in 
length, but with a larger number of vertebre (80 or 82) and a 
smaller number of teeth (28 to 36 in each side of both jaws). It 
may be distinguished at a glance by its colour. It is black above 
and white beneath, like its congeners; but the flanks are yellow or 
brownish grey, with an oval white patch in the centre, which gives 
it a marked appearance. ‘Two or three specimens only of this rare 
species have been captured in the Orkneys. 
Delphinus albirostris, Gray. White-beaked Dolphin.—Averages 
7 to 9 feet in length, with 88 or 90 vertebre and 15 pairs of ribs. 
The beak elongated and gradually tapering to the extremity. The 
* The French sailors sometimes call the Goose-beak “ Bec d’oie.” 
