THE SPERM WHALE. 



79 



It is the opinion of many experienced and observing whalemen — with whom 

 we concur — that the Sperm Whale has a higher organization than any other species 

 of Cetacea. Its massive form is composed of bone, flesh, and sinew, which has a 

 finer texture than that of the rorqual or the mysticetus. The latter subsists on 

 minute Crustacea and small fishes, skimmed as it were from the surface of the seas 

 and inland waters. The mouth of the Cachalot is armed with teeth of ivory, finely 

 set, for the purpose of prehension, and the animal is endowed with the power of 

 descending to the remote caverns of the ocean in search of its prey, and remaining 

 there a length of time unequaled by any of its congeners. The principal food of 

 the Sperm Whale is familiarly named by the whalers "squid;'' which includes 

 one or more species of cuttle-fishes (cephalopods). The animal's manner of 

 pursuing its prey is not definitely known ; but several high authorities main- 

 tain, that after descending to the desired depth it drops its lower jaw nearly to 

 a right angle with the body, thereby exhibiting its polished white teeth, which 

 attract within its reach the swimming food, while the creature moves along through 

 the ocean's depths ; the moment its prey comes in contact with the expanded jaw. 



under like circumstances to those of the Essex. 

 In 1807, the ship Union, of Nantucket, was 

 wrecked "by striking," says tlie narrator, "on a 

 Sperm Whale." It was in the night, and the 

 Viuestion is, whether the shijJ struck the animal 

 accidentally, or whether the whale made an 

 attack ? Other disasters to vessels might be 

 cited, which were occasioned by the attack of, 

 or by coming in collision with, the colossal 

 Cachalot. The ferocity of many old male Sperm 

 Whales has been fully demonstrated by their 

 attacks on boats, and to distinguisli them from 

 other whales they are often called "eating 

 whales." According to the author of the Arctic 

 Whalemen, an instance occurred with the boats 

 of the ship Citizen, upon the Atlantic Ocean, in 

 the year 1851, where, after the whale had been 

 struck, lauced, and while spouting blood, he made 

 an attack and demolished one boat, after which 

 he gave chase to another; but the fifth boat, 

 having been dispatched from the ship to the res- 

 cue, came up just in time to divert the animal's 

 attention, when he turned upon it. By the dex- 

 terous management of the captain, who had come 



in this relief boat, the whale was foiled in his 

 attempt to destroy it. In the midst of the fray, 

 the bleeding animal caught sight of the ship, 

 which was approaching the boats under llowing 

 sails. Instantly the enraged animal made for 

 the vessel ; while those on board, being advised 

 of the fact, put the craft before the wind to 

 avoid him. On the whale came ; but, owing to 

 the increased sjoeed of the ship, he shot past 

 the stern a few feet, and soon after went into 

 his "flurrj-," and "turned up," when he was 

 taken to the vessel, "cut in," and "tried out," 

 yielding seventy -five barrels of oil. Another 

 instance, somewhat similar, occurred to the boats 

 of the bark Athalia. In this case, however, the 

 whale, after staving a boat, not being content 

 with the manner in which he destroyed it, 

 went deliberately at the remains and chewed 

 them into fine pieces. These instances are 

 only mentioned as among scores of other simi- 

 lar cases which might be given. And we have 

 no doubt but that many vessels which have 

 sailed from port, and never been heard of after, 

 have suifered wreck through Cachalots. 



