62 MAMMALIA. 



Schelogskoi to Behring's Straits; and it is true tliat there are 

 everywhere along this tract the remains of huts constructed of 

 earth and "VVTiale bones, and quite different from the present dwell- 

 ings of the Tschuktschi."* 



But to return to the account given by Arrian of the great' 

 Indian Eorqual. He informs us that when, in the morning, 

 Nearchus was off Kyiza or Guttar, his people were sui'prised by 

 observing the sea thrown up to a great height in the air, as if it 

 were carried up by a whirlwind. The people were alarmed, and 

 inquired of their pilot what might be the cause of the pheno- 

 menon ; he informed them that it proceeded from the blowing of 

 the Whale, and that it was the practice of the creature as he 

 sported in the sea. His report by no means quieted their alarm ; 

 the J' stopped rowing from astonishment, and the oars fell from 

 their hands. Nearchus encouraged them, and recalled them to 

 their duty, ordering the heads of the vessels to be pointed at the 

 several creatures as they approached, and to attack them as they 

 would the vessels of an enemy in battle : the fleet immediately 

 formed as if going to engage, and advanced by a signal given ; 

 when, shouting altogether, and dashing the water with their oars, 

 with the trumpets sounding at the same time, they had the satis- 

 faction to see the enemy give way ; for upon the approach of the 

 vessels, the monsters ahead sim.k before them, and rose again 

 astern, where they continued their blowing without exciting any 

 further alarm. All the credit of the victory fell to the share of 

 Nearchus, and the acclamations of the people expressed their 

 acknowledgment, both to his judgment and fortitude, employed 

 in their unexpected delivery. 



" The simplicity of the foregoing narrative," continues the 

 translator, Mr. Vincent, "bespeaks its truth; the circumstances 

 being such as woidd naturallj^ occur to men who had seen animals 

 of this magnitude for the first time ; and the better knowledge 

 which our navigators are possessed of, who pursue the Whale in its 

 Polar retreats, shows that he is sometimes as dangerous an enemy 

 as he appeared to the followers of JSTearchus." 



This is the first distinct account of a great Cetacean of which 

 we have any knowledge ; and yet, singidar to remark, the par- 



1840 



Yon Wranorell's Narratire of an Erpcdiiion io the Voliti- Sea (Sabine's translation^ 

 , pp. 360, 372. 



