THE SPERM WHALE OR CACHALOT 



of the water, presenting then to it only the sharp cutwater-like inferior 

 portion." 



Describing the spout of this species, Millais says : " After an absence 

 under water of from twenty minutes to one hour, the Sperm Whale 

 rises to blow. The form of the spout is different, both in the form and 

 in the angle at which it is projected, from that of any other Cetacean. 

 The column of vapour lasts about three seconds, and is shot out from 

 the blowhole at an angle of 35° for a distance of 15 to 20 feet, the 

 spray falHng like a fountain, but if any wind is blowing it appears * bushy.' " 

 Owing to the forward position of the nostril the spout is projected from the 

 extremity of the snout. 



The Sperm Whale is polygamous, and while the strongest bulls take 

 possession of the cows, the younger males are driven out and roam the 

 seas in herds. 



According to the late Frank Bullen, the female Cachalot shows less 

 consideration for her young than the other large Whales, and will desert it 

 when attacked. 



Before the introduction of the modern method of capture, the Sperm 

 was considered a dangerous whale to harpoon, as when defending itself 

 it used its powerfiil jaws as well as the great tail flukes, which often 

 caused fatal accidents in this pursuit. The food consists chiefly of squids, 

 including some of great size, and also of various fishes. 



n- 73 



