152 LECTURE IV. 



two of these teeth, parallel to each other, in which 

 case one is always observed to be somewhat shorter 

 and thinner than the other. Supposing the na-» 

 tural number to be two, as stated by Linnaeus, in 

 his generic character, I need not observe, that the 

 name of Monodon w^ould be peculiarly absurd. In 

 fact the natural number is two, but one is always 

 observed to predominate, and the probability is 

 that they are so constituted as alternately to supply 

 the defect occasioned by casting, on one side. 



The CGinmon Narwhal or M. Monoceros of 

 Limiaeus, sometimes called the Sea Unicorn, is an 

 inhabitant of the northern seas, where it grows 

 to the length of more than twenty feet, exclusive 

 of the tooth, which is about half the length of 

 the body. The colour of the animal is an ir- 

 regular variegation of black and white on the 

 upper parts, and white beneath ; and the young 

 are said to be of a much darker colour than the 

 full-grown animal. The food of the Narwhal, 

 like that of the great Whalebone Whale, consists 

 chiefly of Sea-blubbers or Medusae and other small 

 animals, but it is also known to prey occasionally 

 on fishes, and particularly on flat-fish. Before 

 this animal became very distinctly known to the 



