39 



April nth, 1837. 



The Rev. John Barlow, in the Chair. 



The reading of Mr. F. De Bell Bennett's paper " On the Natural 

 History of the Spermaceti Whale," was resumed. 



Mr. "Bennett first notices the gregarious habits of the sperm Whales, 

 which are usually found in parties consisting of half-gi'own males, or 

 of females attended by their young, and guarded by one or more 

 males of the largest size. If a solitary Whale be ever observed, it 

 almost invariably proves to be an aged male, probably driven from the 

 societjr of its companions. 



From the author's observations he is inclined to consider that the 

 speed of an alarmed Cachalot does not ex.ceed from eight to ten miles 

 an hour, although when harpooned its temporary velocity may be 

 estimated at from twelve to fifteen miles per hour. 



When thus flying from pursuit, the spermaceti Whale moves vrith 

 a regular and majestic although rapid pace, and with a gently leap- 

 ing gait ; the anterior and upper portions of the colossal head raised 

 above the water, and a portion of the back being also often exhi- 

 bited above the surface of the sea. When flying in parties they 

 often move in lines like a troop of horse, exerting their pecu- 

 liar leaping action, descending, rising, and often even spouting in 

 unison. 



When descending, the spermaceti Whale assumes a vertical po- 

 sition, raising the caudal fin or flukes perpendicularly in the air ; an 

 action that is performed leisurely, and one that distinguishes this 

 from most other species of cetaceans. This manoeuvre is not, how- 

 ever, invariably performed, since, when leisurely feeding, or carelessly 

 avoiding a boat, the Cachalot will descend very gradually, lowering 

 itself, or as it is technically termed, ' settling down.' 



The following are Mr. Bennett's observations upon the spouting 

 of the Cachalot : — 



" From the position of the larynx, as well as the mouth being con- 

 stantly beneath the water in the natural posture of the body, the 

 only medium for respiration is through the nostril or spiracular canal, 

 and from the external aperture of this organ a constant succession of 

 jets of vapour is cast whilst the Cachalot continues on the surface of 

 the water ; each spovt succeedmg the other, after an interval of ten 

 or fifteen seconds, and with a regularity highly characteristic of this 

 kind of Whale. The respiratory jet, or spout, is thrown in a direction 

 obliquely upward and forward, in the fonn of a dense white mist or 

 cloud composed of many minute and scattered drops of condensed 

 vapour. It is sent forth by one continued eifort, seldom rises higher 

 than six or eight feet, remains suspended in the air but a short time, 

 and is accompanied by a prolonged rushing sound, resembling that 



No. LII. — Proceedin-gs of the Zoological Society. 



