40 



of a moderate surf on a smooth beach, the anterior portion of the 

 head being raised higher above the surface of the sea at each ex- 

 plosive effort. The spout is neither abruptly terminated nor suc- 

 ceeded by any audible sound of suction or ' drawback' (produced by 

 succeeding inspiration), as is the case with the spouting of some 

 other of the less valued cetaceans, as fin-backs, &c. The sound, in- 

 deed, attending the spouting of the Cachalot is so peculiar that 

 the pi'actised whaler can detect the close vicinity of this Whale as 

 well by sound as by sight, and in the darkness of night as by the light 

 of day. Although a secondary use for the spiracle may be found 

 in clearing the mouth of water received with the food, it is yet tole- 

 rably evident that the ordinary spouting of Whales is the simple act 

 of breathing, and the moisture ejected the ordinary halitus of ex- 

 piration more or less condensed in the atmosphere. This appears 

 proved by the regular and constant renewal of the spout in corre- 

 spondence with the rhyme of respiration, It being neither intermitted 

 nor varied in aspect when Whales are alarmed and swimming rapidly 

 through the sea, and their closed mouths admitting no water, and by 

 its being equally well timed and unchanged when the spiracle is 

 raised high above the calm and level sea, as when liable to be washed 

 by turbulent waves. It is also reasonable to suppose that the neces- 

 sity for casting forth sea water by this channel would exist to a 

 greater degree, during their visits to the ocean's depths where they 

 seize and generally devour their prey, and where it would be impos- 

 sible for the spiracular canal to contain all the fluid thus received 

 until the return to the air. Nor, indeed, could such delay be neces- 

 sary, since the operation for its expulsion through the spiracle could 

 be as completely performed, if required, under water. The nature 

 of the spout, moreover, is rather that of a light mist, and can in no 

 way be compared to a volume of water. It appears to me that the 

 clearest idea and most correct view we can entertain of the nature of 

 the Whale's spout, may be derived from the cloud of vapour produced 

 by the expiration of terrestrial animals under a low temperature, as 

 during the frosty weather of this climate ; the sole diff"erence existing 

 in the vast bullc and capacity of the lungs in cetaceans causing the 

 halitus of expiration to be evident under all temperatures, whilst in 

 the smaller mammalia it is only to be noticed when the thermometer 

 maintains a low grade. 



" It is not unusual during a close encounter with the Cachalot for 

 the Whale to spout into the boats amongst the crew, when those 

 who experienced its contact described it to me as foetid in odour and 

 producing an acrid effect." 



From the facility with which the Whale is approached by boats, 

 pro\4ded they are not brought within the line of vision, Mr. Bennett 

 infers that this animal possesses the sense of hearing in a very imperfect 

 manner, a deficiency, however, which appears to be in some measure 

 compensated for by the perfection in which it possesses the sense of 

 touch, through the medium of a smooth skin, abundantly supplied 

 with nervous papilhe. It even appears as though the Cachalots had 

 the means of conveying impressions one to another through the water 



