FEEDING. 
37 
causes of this deformity, but whether it is the effect of 
disease, or the consequence of accident, I am unable to 
determine. Old whalers affirm that it is caused by 
fighting; they state that the sperm whale fights by 
rushing head first, one upon the other, their mouths at 
the same time wide open, their object appearing to be 
the seizing of their opponent by the lower jaw, for which 
purpose they frequently turn themselves on the side ; in 
this manner they become as it were locked together, 
their jaws crossing each other, and in this manner they 
strive vehemently for the mastery. I have never had 
the good fortune to witness one of these combats ; but if 
it be the fact that such take place, we need not wonder 
at seeing so many deformed jaws in this kind of whale, 
for we can easily suppose the enormous force exerted on 
these occasions, taking into consideration at the same 
time the comparative slenderness of the jaw-bone in this 
animal. Some corroboration of the above statements 
arises from the fact as far as my knowledge extends, that 
the female is never seen affected with this deformity. 
From these facts it may almost be deduced, or at 
least surmised with a great degree of probability, that 
the mode of procuring food as above stated, as that pur- 
sued by the sperm whale, is the true one, for without 
eyes, and with a jaw (his only instrument of prehension) 
so much deformed, the animal would seem incapable of 
pursuing his prey, and would consequently gain but a 
very precarious subsistence, if its food did not actually 
throng about the mouth and throat, invited by their ap- 
pearance, and attracted also in some degree as I suppose, 
