NORTH AMERICA. 
I2j 
chunk of wood floating about Only the upper jaw 
moves, which they raife almoft perpendicular, fo 
as to form a right angle with the lower one. In 
the fore-part of the upper jaw, on each fide, juft 
under the noftrils, are two very large, thick, ftrong 
teeth or tufks, not very fharp, but rather the fhape 
of a cone : thefe are as white as the fineft polifhed 
ivory, and are not covered by any fkin or lips, and 
always in fight, which gives the creature a fright- 
ful appearance : in the lower jaw are holes oppo- 
fite to thefe teeth, to receive them : when they clap 
their jaws together it caufes a furprifmg noife, like 
that which is made by forcing a heavy plank with 
violence upon the ground, and may be heard at a 
great diftance. 
But what is yet more furprifmg to a ftranger, is 
the incredible loud and terrifying roar, which they 
are capable of making, efpeciaily in the fpring fea- 
fon, their breeding time. It moft refembles very 
heavy diftant thunder, not only fhaking the air and 
waters, but caufmg the earth to tremble ; and when 
hundreds and thoufands are roaring at the fame time, 
you can fcarcely be perfuaded, but that the whole 
globe is violently and dangerouily agitated. 
An old champion, who is perhaps abfolute fove- 
reign of a little lake or lagoon (when fifty left than 
himfelf are obliged to content themfelves with (well- 
ing and roaring in little coves round about) darts 
forth from the reedy coverts all at once, on the 
furface of the waters, in a right line ; at firft leem- 
ingly as rapid as lightning, but gradually more flowly 
until he arrives at the centre of the lake, when he 
flops. He now Iwells himfelf by drawing in wind 
and water through his mouth, which caufes a loud 
fonorous 
