SPERM WHALE. 
53 
are very remarkable for attachment to their young, 
which they may be frequently seen urging and assisting 
to escape from danger with the most unceasing care and 
fondness. They are also not less remarkable for their 
strong feeling of sociality or attachment to one another ; 
and this is carried to so great an extent, as that one 
female of a herd being attacked and wounded, her 
faithful companions will remain around her to the last 
moment, or until they are wounded themselves. This 
act of remaining by a wounded companion is called by 
whalers “ heaving-to,* 5 and whole “ schools ” have been 
destroyed by dexterous management, when several ships 
have been in company, wholly from these whales possess- 
ing this remarkable disposition. The attachment appears 
to be reciprocal on the part of the young whales, which 
have been seen about the ship for hours after their parents 
have been killed. 
The young males, or u young bulls/* go in large 
schools, but differ remarkably from the females in dispo- 
sition inasmuch as they make an immediate and rapid 
retreat upon one of their number being struck, who is 
left to take the best care he can of himself. I never but 
once saw them 6< heave-to/’ and in that case it was only 
for a short time, and which seemed rather to arise from 
their confusion than affection for their wounded compa- 
nion. They are also very cunning and cautious, keeping 
at all times a good look-out for danger ; it is consequently 
necessary for the whaler to be extremely cautious in his 
mode of approaching them, so as, if possible, to escape 
being heard or seen, for they have some mode of com- 
