1914] Townsend: The Porpoise in Captivity. 295 



the Great Dismal Swamp Canal, the water in the tanks was 

 changed whenever it became warm. After reaching the New 

 York steamer at Norfolk the cooling of the porpoise tanks en 

 route was greatly simplified by the use of the steamer's salt' 

 water hose. 



The shipping of porpoises alive is therefore a simple mat- 

 ter. The adult animals readily stand transportation, while the 

 young do not. If carried in long, narrow boxes large enough 

 to accommodate them without rubbing, and if kept supplied 

 with sufficient cold water to support and cover them, they can 

 be handled easily enough. There is probably no reason why 

 a porpoise, under such conditions, should not be carried in a 

 tank many times the two-days' journey from Hatteras to New 

 York, although on a journey by rail the changing of the water 

 would be difficult and expensive. While its temperature could 

 be controlled by the use of ice, the water carried without chang- 

 ing would be seriously fouled, for two or three days. The 

 question of food could be disregarded for a few days without 

 injury. 



Our porpoises are heavy feeders, the five consuming about 

 ninety pounds of fresh fish a day. This quantity of food has 

 kept them in good condition, apparently without loss of weight. 

 For several days after their arrival they would eat nothing, 

 but at the end of a week they began to take live fishes and, after 

 having once started to feed, it was not difficult to get them to 

 take dead fish. A few days of hunger brought them around, as 

 it does in the case of the newly captured seal or sea lion. Their 

 principal food is herring and tomcod purchased in the markets. 

 The live crabs thrown to them at various times were quickly 

 seized and much tossed about, but were not eaten. 



The keeping of porpoises in captivity has presented some 

 difficulties with the water supply, their excrement constantly 

 discoloring the water. The pool cannot be drained empty and 

 cleaned, like those used for seals, as stranded, and consequently 

 frightened, porpoises beat the ground with their tails so violent- 

 ly that they would be injured by the daily emptying of the pool. 

 The water is now being kept fairly clear by carrying extra pipe 

 lines to the pool and greatly increasing the flow of water. The 

 pool is supplied with the brackish and rather impure water 



