THE CALIFORNIA GRAY WHALE. 25 



" Mussel - digger." " Devil - fish " is significant of the danger incurred in the pursuit 

 of the animal. "Gray -back" is indicative of its color, and "Rip -sack" originated 

 with the manner of flensing. 



As the season approaches for the whales to bring forth their young, which is 

 from December to March, they formerly collected at the most remote extremities of 

 the lagoons, and huddled together so thickly that it was difiicult for a boat to cross 

 the waters without coming in contact with them. Repeated instances have been 

 known of their getting aground and lying for several hours in but two or throe 

 feet of water, without apparent injury from resting heavily on the sandy bottom, 

 until the rising tide floated them. In the Bay of Monterey they have been seen 

 rolling, with apparent delight, in the breakers along the beach. 



In February, 1856, we found two whales aground in Magdalena Bay. Each 

 had a calf playing about, there being sufficient depth for the young ones, while the 

 mothers were lying hard on the bottom. When attacked, the smaller of the two 

 old whales lay motionless, and the boat approached near enough to "set" the 

 hand -lance into her "life," dispatching the animal at a single dart. The other, 

 when approached, would raise her head and flukes above the water, supporting her- 

 self on a small portion of the belly, turning easily, and heading toward the boat, 

 which made it very difficult to capture her. It appears to be their habit to get 

 into the shallowest inland waters when their cubs are young. For this reason the 

 whaling- ships anchor at a considerable distance from where the crews go to hunt 

 the animals, and several vessels are often in the same lagoon. 



The first streak of dawn is the signal for lowering the boats, all pulling for 

 the head -waters, where the whales are expected to be found. As soon as one is 

 seen, the officer who first discovers it sets a "waif" (a small flag) in his boat, and 

 gives chase. Boats belonging to other vessels do not interfere, but go in search of 

 other whales. "When pursuing, great care is taken to keep behind, and a short 

 distance from the animal, until it is driven to the extremity of the lagoon, or into 

 shoal water ; then the men in the nearest boats spring to their oars in the exciting 

 race, and the animal, swimming so near the bottom, has its progress impeded, 

 thereby giving its pursuers a decided advantage : although occasionally it will sud- 

 denly change its course, or "dodge," which frequently prolongs the chase for hours, 



disposed of. The quantity found in any one we are convinced that mussels have been found 



individual would not exceed a barrelful. in the maws of the California Grays ; but as 



From the testimony of several whaling-men yet, from our own observations, we have not 



whom we regard as interested and careful ob- been able to establish the fact of what their 



servers, together with our own investigations, principal sustenance consists. 



Mabine Mammals. — 4. 



