GIANTS OF THE DEEP 321 



from the Sperm Whales in regard to the teeth, as in the Bottlenose 

 there are only a single pair, and these are of large size. One species 

 belonging to this genus, however, possesses two pairs of teeth. In 

 front of the blowhole there is a prominent elevation caused by a 

 sort of fatty cushion, and this accounts for the popular name 

 accorded. 



Squids and Cuttlefish are the common food of this Whale, and 

 it inhabits the North Atlantic Ocean. Although it sometimes 

 exhibits a solitary disposition, or travels about in pairs, at others 

 "schools" of many individuals may be located. The female is 

 the smaller of the two sexes, for whereas she attains a length of 

 only some twenty to twenty-four feet, the male grows several feet 

 longer. The adult is light-brown to yellow above and greyish- 

 white underneath, but the young are black on the upper parts. 



Very tenacious, and exhibiting little fear of mankind, the Bottle- 

 nose is an active Whale, and has the power of leaping several feet 

 out of the water. As they do this the head is turned round so that 

 the giants may take their bearings, as it were, and, when descending, 

 the water is re-entered head-first, "instead of falling helplessly on 

 their sides like the larger Whales." 



From this species oil similar to that obtained from the Sperm 

 Whale is procured, as well as spermaceti, and it is stated that an 

 adult male will yield two tons of oil, and some two hundredweight of 

 spermaceti. 



Cuvier's Whale — named after the great French naturalist — is a 

 rare beast which need only be mentioned by name, and of the Beaked 

 Whales we may select Sowerby's as the first representative. 



SOWERBY'S WHALE. —The members of this genus (the Beaked 

 Whales) have been accorded their English name by reason of the 

 presence of long and narrow solid and ivory-like bone which is found 

 on the skull and resembles a beak, whilst the scientific name has 

 been acquired from a pair of teeth which are usually present not far 

 from the centre of either side of the lower jaw. The ivory-like bones 

 are of great density, and it is stated that they are probably the most 

 substantial bones found among the Vertebrates. 



This Whale was first discovered by Sowerby off the Elgin coast 

 in i8oo. It is not a large species, as it grows to only a length of 

 about fifteen feet, and in colour appears to vary from bluish-slate to 

 blackish-blue on the upper parts and light slate below. It resorts 

 to northern seas, and, although the genus is represented in southern 



