464 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



The swiftness of this Narwhal from its slender form, 

 is astonishing, and would, if its strength and bulk 

 corresponded to its agility, render it formidable. It is 

 found most frequently on the shores of Boston. 



Another Narwhal has been supposed to exist, from the 

 fact of some tusks having been observed at Hamburgh, by 

 Anderson, which were perfectly smooth, without spirals or 

 furrows. 



The Anarnack of Groenland, (Monodon Spurius of Fa- 

 bricus,) a species not particularly well authenticated, the 

 Baron considers may belong to Hyperoodon or be not 

 much removed. The generic characters are one or two 

 small teeth, re-curved in the upper jaw ; none below ; a 

 dorsal fin. 



We now come to the Cachalots (Physeter). The first 

 species, Macrocephalus, is another of these giants of the 

 main, whose colossal structure and tyrannical dominion, 

 render them truly formidable. This Cachalot is more 

 lively and active than the generality of the Cetacea, and is 

 only less bulky than the Common Whale, of which he is a 

 most dangerous rival. Though less powerful than that 

 first of the marine Mammalia, yet the terrible arms, the 

 powerful and numerous teeth with which nature has pro- 

 vided the Cachalot, renders it a terrific adversary to all the 

 inhabitants of the deep, even to those that are most dan- 

 gerous to others, such as the Phocae, the Balenoptera, the 

 Dolphins, the Sharks, and Squalse. So terrified are all 

 these animals at the sight of the Cachalot, that they hurry 

 to conceal themselves from him in the sand or mud, and 

 and often, in the precipitancy of their flight, dash them- 

 selves against the rocks with such violence as to cause 

 instantaneous death. It is not, therefore, surprising if 

 the myriads of fishes on which this tyrant preys are struck 

 with the most lively terror at his presence. So powerful 

 is this feeling, that the multitudes of fish which seek with 

 avidity the dead carcasses of the other Cetacea to devour. 



