54 
HERDING OF THE SPERM WHALE. 
munication one to another, through a whole school, in 
an incredibly short space of time. 
6 4 Young bulls” are consequently much more trouble- 
some to attack, and more difficult and dangerous to kill, 
great dexterity and despatch being necessary to give 
them no time to recover from the pain and fright caused 
by the first blow. When about three-fourths grown, or 
sometimes only half, they separate from each other, and 
go singly in search of food. 
All sperm whales, both large and small, have some 
method of communicating by signals to each other, by 
which they become apprised of the approach of danger, 
and this they do, although the distance may be very 
considerable between them, sometimes amounting to 
four, five, or even seven miles. The mode by which 
this is effected, remains a curious secret. 
