ORDER CETACEA. 163 



In such combats the Narwhal possesses immense advan- 

 tages, both from his amazing swiftness and the power of 

 striking his enemy without fear of retaliation. Even when 

 his head is at a considerable distance, he can penetrate with 

 his tusk to the very heart of the Whale. He strikes his 

 adversary with reiterated blows ; pierces him, and deprives 

 him of life without being himself in a situation to receive 

 the least damage. 



The Narwhals would be taken with much difficulty but 

 for one circumstance. They assemble sometimes in such 

 immense numbers in the open creeks of the icebergs, that 

 the manner in which they press upon each other obliges 

 them to put their tusks upon the backs of those who pre- 

 cede them. This is the moment in which the intrepid 

 mariners attack them, and destroy all that are nearest to 

 their vessels, without giving them time to place themselves 

 in a defensive posture. 



An oil is derived from the Common Narwhal which is 

 preferred to that of the Whale. The Groenlanders are 

 very fond of the flesh of this animal, which they smoke- 

 dry. The intestines they consider a most delicious morsel. 

 Of the tendons they fabricate little cords, which are said to 

 be extremely strong and durable. 



The Narwhal Microcephalus is a species found in the 

 supplement of Count Lacepede to Buffon, and which is 

 named from the smallness of its head, in comparison to 

 that of the Common Narwhal. 



This animal is said to resemble, in figure, a long cone of 

 greatest diameter at the belly, and then gradually dimi- 

 nishing in bulk towards the extremity of the tail. 



From twenty-three to twenty-six feet is the total length. 

 The tusks are sometimes as long as the entire body. 



The muzzle is considerably rounded, and the head in a 

 front view resembles a bull's. The upper jaw is a little more 

 advanced than the under, and the aperture of the mouth 

 is small. 



