460 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



two points face the tail. This orifice is externally directed 

 backwards, but the interior canals that lead to it are so 

 inclined, that the water rejected falls in front. 



The eye of this animal is situated towards the middle of 

 the upper part of the head, and is more elevated than the 

 commissure of the lips ; the pectoral fins are placed very 

 low between the eyes and the termination of the muzzle : 

 they are about one-twelfth of the entire length of the 

 animal which is about twenty-four feet, on a circumference 

 of fifteen. 



The dorsal fin is near the extremity of the tail and carried 

 backwards ; its elevation is about one-eighteenth of the 

 total length of the animal. 



The skin is brown above, whitish underneath. Some 

 individuals have spots of a different colour from the ground ; 

 this skin covers a yellowish fat, beneath which is the flesh 

 very red. 



The tail and body form a very elongated cone in the 

 base of which are inserted the pectoral fins. 



This animal is found in the North Atlantic, and in the 

 Arctic Icy Sea. When agitated by anger or pain, it is 

 reported to send forth dreadful bellowings, like those of a 

 bull in the same condition. 



Of the Narwhals the first species, or Common Narwhal, 

 is an animal of colossal strength. It precipitates itself on 

 everything which gives it the least offence, and furiously 

 rushes against the most trifling obstacle. Its habitual 

 sojourn is in the midst of the icebergs of the Polar Sea. 

 Here in the empire of eternal frost, where darkness reigns 

 for so great a portion of the year, this giant of the wave 

 dares every power, braves every danger : bent upon carnage 

 he attacks without provocation, combats without rivalry, 

 and destroys without necessity. Its general form is ovoid; 

 the usual length from forty-two to sixty feet; its head is big, 

 its volume being nearly equal to one-fourth of the animal's 



