UNICORN NARWHAL. 475 



general foini of the animal is rather long than 

 thick in proportion to its size. The colour, when 

 young, is said to be nearly black, but lighter on 

 the belly ; but as the animal advances in age, it 

 becomes marbled or variegated with black and 

 white on the back and sides, wliile the belly is 

 nearly wliite. The skin is smooth, and there is a 

 considerable depth of oil or blubber beneath it. 



The Narwhal chiefly inhabits the northern parts 

 of Davis's Streights. Its food is said to consist of 

 the smaller kind of flat-fish, as well as of Actiniae, 

 Medusas, and mauy other marine animals. It 

 is principally seen in the small open or unfrozen 

 spots towards the coasts of the northern seas. To 

 such places it resorts in multitudes, for the con- 

 veniency of breathing, while at the same time it 

 is sure of finding near the shores a due supply of 

 food, and is very rarely seen in the open sea. It is 

 taken by means of harpoons, and its flesh is eaten 

 by the Greenlanders, both raw, boiled, and dried : 

 the intestines and oil are also used as a food ; the 

 tendons make a^good thread, and the teeth serve 

 the purpose of hunting-horns as well as the more 

 hnportant ones of building tents and houses : but 

 before this animal became distinctly known to 

 the naturalists of Europe, they were held in high 

 estimation as the supposed horns of unicorns. 

 Various medical virtues were also attributed to 

 them, and they were even numbered among the 

 articles of regal magnificence. A throne made 

 for the Danish monarchs is said to be still pre- 



