12 PREFACE. 



opportunities for observing tlie habits of these animals under favorable conditions 

 are but rare and brief. My own experience has proved that close observation for 

 montlis, and even years, may be required before a single new fact in regard to 

 their habits can be obtained. This has been particularly the case with the dol- 

 phins, while many of the characteristic actions of whales are so secretly performed 

 that years of ordinary observation may be insufficient for their discovery. 



There is little difficulty in making satisfactory drawings of such smaller species 

 of marine mammals as can be taken upon the deck of a vessel, but it is extremely 

 difficult to delineate accurately the forms of the larger Cetaceans. When one of 

 these animals is first captured, but a small part of its colossal form can be seen, 

 as, usually, only a small portion of the middle section of the body is above the 

 water ; and when the process of decomposition has caused the animal to rise, so 

 that the whole form is visible, it is swollen and quite distorted in shape. Again : 

 these animals change their appearance in the most remarkable manner with every 

 change of position, so that it is only from repeated measurements and sketches, 

 and as the result of many comparisons, that I have been able to produce satisfac- 

 tory illustrations of these monsters of the deep. 



I take occasion here to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. Rey, of the firm 

 of Britton & Rey, lithographers, who laid aside his own business, as far as possible, 

 in order that he might give his personal attention to the execution of nearly all 

 the plates representing whales and seals. The remaining work of that description 

 was put into the hands of Mr. Steinegger, the junior partner of the firm; his 

 excellent sea and landscape backgrounds speak for themselves. 



Plain and simple language has been used in description. Where whaling terms 

 have been employed, their definitions are indicated by reference marks, or may be 

 found in the glossary contained in the Appendix. 



I desire to tender my sincere thanks to many personal friends and others, not 

 only for literary, but also for financial aid ; for, without the generous contributions 

 of gentlemen of the Pacific Coast, and San Francisco especially, this work could 

 not have made its appearance in its present form. 



To Professor J. D. Whitney, State Geologist of California, I wish particularly 

 to acknowledge my indebtedness for his encouragement and untiring assistance in 

 preparing this volume for the press. My thanks are also due to Professor S. F. 



