68 
VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
seen of the length of more than twenty feet, from 
its mouth to the tail, and is distinguishable from 
every other kind of whale, by its very long horn-like 
tooth, which is perfectly straight, smooth, and of a 
yellowish white colour, spirally wreathed through- 
out its whole length, invariably twisting from left to 
right, and gradually tapering to a sharp point. This 
tusk, which is from one to nine or ten feet long, pro- 
ceeds from a socket on the left side of the upper 
jaw, and is usually hollow from the base to a con- 
siderable extent. It is regarded as the finest ivory, 
and was formerly numbered among the articles of 
regal magnificence. A throne, made of such for the 
Danish monarch, is still preserved in the castle of 
Rosenburg, and is considered by the possessors to be 
of more value than gold. Besides this tusk or horn, 
which is peculiar to the male, there is another on 
the right side of the head, imbedded in the skull ; 
this latter is solid throughout, and placed back in the 
substance of the skull, about six inches from the most 
prominent part. The skull of the narwal is concave 
above, having a flat, wedge-shaped, large projection 
in front, which aflbrds sockets for the tusks ; the 
cavity in the head, that communicates with the blow- 
holes, is divided by a bony substance. In the hol- 
low of the ear are occasionally found large bunches 
of worms, about an inch and a half long, constantly 
in motion, and as fine as very small sewing thread. 
The narwal is very active, and swims with great 
swiftness, but cannot keep under the water long. 
Before the fish comes to the surface to respire, a 
