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CHAPTER IL 
HABITS OF THE SPERM WHALE. 
Fig. 1 . Fig. 2. Fig . 3 . 
It is a matter of great astonishment that the consider- 
ation of the habits of so interesting, and in a commercial 
point of view of so important an animal, should have been 
so entirely neglected, or should have excited so little 
curiosity among the numerous, and many of them com- 
petent observers, that of late years must have possessed 
the most abundant and the most convenient opportu- 
nities of witnessing their habitudes. I am not vain 
enough to pretend that the few following pages include 
a perfect sketch of this subject, as regards the sperm 
whale ; but I flatter myself that somewhat of novelty 
and originality will be found justly ascribable to the 
observations I have put together ; they are at all events 
the fruit of long and attentive consideration. — For con- 
venience of description, the habits of this animal are given 
under the heads of feeding, swimming, breathing, etc. 
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