GIANTS OF THE^^DEEP 323 



weather, for when the rainy season comes on, and the rush of water 

 is considerably increased, it is not possible to detect any sound. 



The Gangetic Dolphin has a long snout, and with the aid of this 

 it is able to probe among mud for food, this consisting of various 

 kinds of fish and prawns. Only one young one is as a rule produced 

 at a birth, and this takes place from Spring to Mid-Summer. 



In the Amazon River of Brazil there is another species of Fresh- 

 Water Dolphin which may be called the Amazonian Dolphin, but is 

 known in South America as the Bonto, or Inia. Although the male 

 grows to a length of some seven feet the female is about only half 

 that size. The general colour is blackish above and reddish beneath. 



Another species found tenanting the Amazon is known as the 

 Tucuxi, and there is still a further one which is pale flesh-colour. 

 Bates writes that "in the broader parts of the Amazon, from its 

 mouth to a distance of fifteen hundred miles in the interior, one or 

 other of the three kinds here mentioned are always heard rolling, 

 blowing and snorting, especially at night, and these impressions con- 

 tribute much to the impression of sea-wide vastness and desolation 

 which haunts the traveller." 



NARWHAL. — This remarkable species is at once recognized by 

 the tremendous spirally-twisted tusk which projects from one side 

 of the upper jaw of the male. It has been ascertained that this tusk 

 is almost invariably situated on the left side, that on the right 

 attaining a length of only a few inches. Those possessed by the 

 female are quite rudimentary and are entirely hidden within the 

 jawbone. The tusk of the male Narwhal is composed of ivory, and 

 may attain a length of seven or eight feet. 



This Dolphin, for such it is, has a blunt, rounded head; it has 

 not a back fin, and has short, broad and rounded flippers. It is dark- 

 grey on the upper parts and white below, whilst the back and sides 

 have irregular mottlings of grey of various shades. With the tusk, 

 the male measures some twelve to sixteen feet. The Narwhal is 

 an inhabitant of cold seas, and, similar to the Greenland Whale, " is 

 circumpolar in its distribution." It has been subjected to consider- 

 able persecution, and, in consequence, has been much reduced in 

 numbers. In spite of this, large "schools" are sometimes located 

 by those who visit its haunts, the species being generally gregarious. 

 From it oil and ivory are obtained, and the former is of excellent 

 quality. 



WHITE WHALE, OR BELUGA.— This animal is first cousin to the 



