104 MARINE 3IAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 



The name "Bottlenose" is said to have been given it by reason of the head re- 

 sembling the upper portion and neck of a junk -bottle; if so, from our observation 

 of it (which was many times, from the vessel's deck or masthead), in its differ- 

 ent natural positions, the bottle must have been one with a very large but exceed- 

 ingly short neck ; still the comparison is not, perhaps, inappropriate. The largest 

 of this species are not less than twenty -five feet long, and otherwise are similar in 

 their proportions to the Blackfish. The head appears to be of a shape between that 

 of the Olobiocephalus and the Phoccena vomerina, having a short rounded beak. The 

 habits of the Grampus are such as nearly preclude capture, and little is known of 

 its peculiarities. Two or three are generally seen together, ''rounding" to go down 

 as soon as they come to the surface of the water and spout, and when next 

 rising may be beyond view. An exception to this, however, occurred in July and 

 August, 1856, on the coast between Cape St. Lucas and Cerros Island, at which 

 time we saw large numbers of them going in schools, ten, twenty, or thirty 

 together, nearly all being of the largest growth ; their actions were a good imi- 

 tation of a school of small Cachalots — spouting several times when up, and 

 only remaining down the usual time of Sperm Whales of their apparent size. 

 Several fruitless trials were made to capture one. In two instances the harpoons 

 were fastened effectually, and the consequence was that the animals immediately 

 went down with great velocity, each in its descent taking a line one hundred and 

 fifty fathoms long, almost before the boats' crews knew what they were about. It 

 is said, however, that they have been taken with comparatively little difficulty, 

 where the boats were supplied with lines upwards of three hundred fathoms long. 

 The oil produced by the Bottlenose is reputed to be equal in quality to that 

 of the Sperm Whale, and the yield is in a similar ratio to that from the Blackfish 

 and Killer. 



SECTION XL -THE PANAMA GRAMPUS. 



In March, 1853, off Panama Bay, on board the bark Rio Grande, we captured 

 what were supposed to be two small Blackfish; but, on making an examination, it 

 was decided that they were a species of grampus. Our notes are as follow : 



Length of largest specimen, ton feet. Back fin placed as on a Blackfish. Up- 

 per end of dorsal more pointed than that of the Globiocej)hahis—the whole fin was 

 very nearly the form of that of the Striped or Common Porpoise. Body less in 

 circumference in proportion to length than that of the Blackfish. Form of head 

 somewhat pointed, approaching to a beak. Color, a uniform jet black. Average 



