BRITISH MAMMALS 



on the top of the head, extending backwards a short distance behind the 

 blow-hole, and on each side towards but not reaching the eye. Both 

 surfaces of the pectoral fin were nearly black, very finely mottled or 

 dappled with grey, and becoming darker towards the tip. 



" The neighbourhood of the axilla was of the same dappled colour. . . . 

 But what gave the most remarkable and characteristic appearance to the 

 animal was the presence of conspicuous, but most irregular, light streaks 

 and spots scattered over the whole of the side fi-om the front of the head 

 to about two feet from the end of the tail, wjiere they ceased, at least 

 on the lateral surface. . . . The streaks or lines were of various lengths 

 and running in all directions in a most fantastic manner, some parallel, 

 some crossing each other, and some forming sharp angles, zigzags and 

 scribble-like patterns." 



The total length of this specimen was lo feet 6 inches. 



Risso's Grampus has a very extensive range, occurring in the 

 Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and occasionally in some numbers in the 

 Mediterranean. It is rare in British waters. In England the first 

 known example was stranded at Puckaster, Isle of Wight, in the 

 spring of 1843, and a few others have been taken fi-om time to time. 



In Scotland, six were captured at Hillswick, Shetland, in September 

 1889. Two more were stranded on the Solway in 1892 and one in 

 the Forth near Kincardine in October 1904 (Millais). Little seems to 

 be known of the habits of this Dolphin. Judging by the remains of 

 cuttlefish found in captured specimens and the curious marks and 

 scratches on the skin of the animal caused by their beaks and suckers, 

 it appears to feed chiefly on those creatures. 



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