96 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [January 
The latter were horribly frightened and strained to 
their chains, whining ; the head of one killer must certainly 
have been within 5 feet of one of the dogs. 
After this, whether they thought the game insignificant, 
or whether they missed Ponting is uncertain, but the 
terrifying creatures passed on to other hunting grounds, 
and we were able to rescue the dogs, and what was even 
more important, our petrol — 5 or 6 tons of which was 
waiting on a piece of ice which was not split away from 
the main mass. 
Of course, we have known well that killer whales 
continually skirt the edge of the floes and that they would 
undoubtedly snap up anyone who was unfortunate enough 
to fall into the water ; but the facts that they could display 
such deliberate cunning, that they were able to break ice 
of such thickness (at least z\ feet), and that they could act 
in unison, were a revelation to us. It is clear that they 
are endowed with singular intelligence, and in future we 
shall treat that intelligence with every respect. 
Notes on the Killer or Grampus (Orca gladiator) 
One killed at Greenwich, 31 feet. 
Teeth about z\ inches above jaw; about 3§ inches 
total length. 
' British Quadrupeds ' — Bell : 
'The fierceness and voracity of the killer, in which 
it surpasses all other known cetaceans/ 
In stomach of a 21 ft. specimen were found remains 
of 13 porpoises and 14 seals. 
