PORPESSE< 



505 



duced than that of the Dolphin. The Porpesse 

 is also, in general, the smallest animal of the two, 

 and rarely exceeds the length of six or seven feet. 

 It is of a thick form on the fore parts, and gra- 

 dually tapers towards the tail, which is shaped like 

 that of other Cetacea. The back fin is situated 

 rather nearer the tail than the head, and is of a 

 somewhat triangular outline, and placed nearly 

 upright. In colour this animal resembles the 

 Dolphin, being either of a blueish black or of a 

 very dark brown above, and white or nearly white 

 beneath : the eyes are small ; behind them are 

 situated the auditory passages, Avhich are very 

 small ; and on the upper part of the front is the 

 spiracle, which is somewhat in the form of a cre- 

 scent : the mouth is of moderate width ; the teeth 

 small, rather sharp, and numerous ; being com- 

 monly about forty-six or fifty in each jaw ; the 

 tongue is flat, rounded, notched or crenated on 

 the edge, and pretty closely attached or confined 

 to the surface of the under jaw. 



The Porpesse lives chiefly on the smaller kinds 

 of fish, and is observed to root about the shores 

 with its snout, in the manner of a hog, while in 

 quest of food. Like the Dolphin it is seen to 

 gambol about in the ocean, more especially in 

 stormy weather. 



Porpesses are also observed to congregate occa- 

 sionally in vast numbers, and to pursue shoals of 

 Herrings, Mackrel, and other fish, which they 

 drive into the bays and close recesses, and prey 

 upon them with vast voracity. This animal is 



