132 THE NARWHAL. 
The food of the Narwhal consists chiefly of marine molluscs and of 
occasional fish, but is found to be generally composed of the same kind of 
squid, or cuttle-fish, which supplies the gigantic spermaceti whale with 
subsistence. As the remains of several flat fish have been discovered in 
the stomach of the Narwhal, it was supposed by some authors that the 
animal made use of its tusk as a fish-spear, transfixing them as they lay 
“sluddering” on the mud or sand, after their usual fashion, thus preventing 
their escape from the toothless mouth into which the wounded fish are then 
received. However this may be, the force of the tusk is terrific when urged 
with the impetus of the creature driving through the water at full speed, for 
the whole combined power of the weight and velocity of the animal is 
directed along the line of the tusk. A Narwhal has been known to encounter 
a ship, and to drive 
its tusk through the 
sheathing, and deeply 
into the timbers. The 
shock was _ probably 
fatal to the assailant, 
for the tooth was 
snapped by the sudden 
blow, remaining in the 
hole which it had made 
and acting as a plug 
that effectually pre- 
vented the water from 
gaining admission into 
the vessel. 
The ivory of the 
Narwhal's tusk is re- 
markably good in 
quality, being hard 
and solid, capable of 
receiving a high polish, 
and possessing the 
property of retaining 
its beautiful whiteness 
for a very long period, so that a large Narwhal horn is of no inconsiderable 
commercial value. 
The native Greenlanders hold the Narwhal in high estimation; for, 
independently of its value, it is welcomed each succeeding year as the 
harbinger of the Greenland Whale. 
The oil which is extracted from the blubber is very delicate, but is not 
present in very great amount, as the coating of fatty substance is seldom more 
than three inches in depth. About half a ton of oil is obtained from a large 
specimen. The flesh is much prized by the natives, and is not only eaten in 
its fresh state, but is carefully dried and prepared over the fire. 
The colour of this animal is almost entirely black upon the upper surface 
of the body, but is slightly varied by streaks and patches of a deeper tint. 
The sides fade into greyish white, diversified with sundry grey marks, and 
the under portions of the body are white. 
Most familiar of all the Dolphin fraternity is the well-known PORPOISE, 
or SEA Hoc, an animal which may be seen on any of our coasts, tumbling 
about on the waves and executing various gambols in the exuberance of its 
sportive feelings. 
The Porpoise is a very gregarious animal, herding together in large shoals, 
NARWHAL.—(Ménodon Mondéceros.) 
