DOLPHINS AT PLAY 153 
they evince a decided preference for the out-thrusting bow 
of a sailing ship, and are not attracted so much by the high, 
perpendicular cutwater of a steamer, with no bowsprit or 
jib-boom. 
A swift ocean steamship is not escorted very far, for such 
a promenade soon becomes tiresome; but I have seen a 
Drawn by J. Carter Beard. 
THE COMMON DOLPHIN. 
school of these interesting creatures circle about a sailing ship 
and play around its-cutwater for half an hour. It is a simple 
matter for an expert sailor to take a position on the martin- 
gale-guys of a ship, under the bowsprit, and harpoon a dol- 
phin; but to me it has never seemed like a fair thing to do. 
In North American waters there are about twelve species 
of dolphins, most of which are from 6 to 7 feet in length, and 
