420 CETACEA. ' 



cold weather when the current has slackened and there are comparatively quiet 

 reaches in which it can disport. The disturbed state of the river when it is swollen 

 doubtless renders the presence of the dolphin very difficult of detection, for at such 

 times it will simply expose its blow-hole, too restricted a surface to be noticed on 

 the troubled waters. In the cold weather its presence can easily be detected, with- 

 out its being seen, by the blowing sound it makes when it rises to breathe ; but 

 during the rains, the rush of waters effectually drowns this means of becoming 

 aware of its existence. 



Habits and Food. — The Flatanista, unlike the dolphin of the Irawady, is not 

 gregarious, but more than one may be observed at the same time in a comparatively 

 limited portion of a deep reach, but it is difficult to say whether the Gangetic 

 dolphin confines itself to limited areas when there is no disturbing cause at work, 

 such as the rains, leading it to disperse itself over other channels and branches of 

 the river which are not accessible to it in the dry weather. 



In rising to breathe, the Platanist may either simply expose the upper surface 

 of its head, sufficiently to bring its blow -hole above water, or, what is more common, 

 plunge out of the water upwards, forwards, and downwards, first exhibiting its 

 long snout, followed by two-thirds of its back. At such times it emits a short, 

 blowing sound, which doubtless has given rise to the term generally applied to it 

 along the Ganges and Brahmaputra. During the cold months, in the quiet reaches, 

 it even becomes at times extravagant in its movements, and wiU leap altogether out 

 of the water with the tail curved downwards. As a rule, however, its respiratory 

 visits to the surface are leisurely executed. I have had the rare opportunity of 

 narrowly observing the respiratory movements of this dolphin from having had one 

 ahve for ten days in captivity.' In its place of confinement this individual rose 

 slowly to the surface, exposing the blow-hole and a portion of its back. The blow- 

 hole opened whenever it reached the surface of the water, the characteristic 

 expiratory sound was produced, and so rapid was inspiration, that the blow-hole 

 seemed to close immediately after the expiratory act, and then the animal slowly 

 subsided. The respirations were tolerably frequent, occurring at intervals of about 

 one-half or three-quarters of a minute, and the whole act did not take more than 

 a few seconds for its fulfilment. 



Some further observations on this captive might have led to the supposition 

 that this Cetacean was exclusively a nocturnal feeder, because the fish given it during 

 the day were untouched, but when counted on the following morning were mate- 

 rially diminished ; every precaution having been taken to prevent their escape or 

 removal from the tank in which the dolphin was confined. Careful and extended 

 observation, however, of the animal in its natural state proves that it feeds during the 

 day as well as during the night, because dolphins are frequently observed going through 

 movements at the mouths of streams and close to the river bank, even among the 



^ This dolphin, which measured 3 feet in length, was procured for me by the kind assistance of C. T. Buckland, 

 Esq., C.S., who succeeded in interesting Captain Huey, o£ the India General Steam Navigation Company, running 

 between Goalundo and Dacca. It was captured at Dacca, and was brought alive to Calcutta in a bath filled with water, 

 being fed with fisb by the way. 



