Cetacea. MAMMALIA. Cetacea. cxxxi 
. 
accordingly been called by them the Arrow of the 
species of the former, and mentions four other 
Sea. It also is called Sea Goose, Oye de Mer, on 
forms, which he regards as identical with B. catodon 
account of the peculiar contour of the head, which 
(Pig. 80, vol. i, p. 203). B. rhinodon is nam(‘d by 
resembles the beak of a Goose. 'J'he Dolphin was in 
Cope as another species, found in “Arctic Seas.” 
the earliest times consecrated to the gods, and was 
[Cope, Proc. Acad. Nut. Sci., Phil., 1865-9.) In the 
honored as the special benefactor of mankind. Pliny, 
same article Prof. Cope describes others, which he 
.^lian and other ancient authors repeatedly record 
names B. declivis, B. augustata — each from same lo- 
their appreciation of these supposed attributes. The 
cality. B. canadensis is a species very common in the 
younger Pliny wrote a charnung love tale, in 
waters of the mouth of the St. Lawrence liiver. Dr. 
which the Dolphin’s attachment for Mippus is set 
Gray regards this also as identical with B. catodon. 
forth. Ovid sings praises of the beneficent rescue 
THE BELUGA, OR WHITE WHALE [Beluga canaden- 
and care of the musician Arion : 
sis, Wyman). — 'I'his Canadian species was named by 
Dr. Wyman of Boston, and is the one which has been 
“But (past belief) a Dolphin’s back 
Preserved Arion from his destined wreck ; 
Secure he sits, and with harmonious strains, 
Kequites his bearer for his friendly pains.” 
so frequently captured and exhibited alive, both in 
New York and Boston. It is sluggish in habit, which 
accounts for the ease with which it is secured and 
transported out of its proper element. It is easily 
Many a pleasing tale is told, and much exaggeration 
domesticated in a certain fashion. The keeper of 
is extant concerning this creature of the deep ; yet 
one at Boston taught it to take its food from his 
there is no evidence of its possessing more sagacity 
hands at intervals, while it passed around the tank. 
than any other Cetacean. In early times the flesh 
Avery satisfactory exhibition of this creature was 
of the Dolphin was highly esteemed, but it is now 
afforded at Coney Island, N. Y., in the summer of 
seldom eaten. The Dolphins are remarkably playful. 
1877, where the Whale was placed in a tank built in 
and a voyage at sea is seldom without some exhibi- 
the ground, and siij)plied constantly with pure sea 
tion of their gambols, or the ship unaccompanied by 
water. 'I'his specimen was taken to Europe, but 
numl)ers of these “stern and bow chasers.” An in- 
died soon after reaching the Westminster Aquarium. 
teresting species, though much rarer, being very sel- 
THE NARWHAL [Monodon monoceros) — Plate 27, 
dom captured, is the Bottle-nose Dolphin. 
fig. 86. — 'I'his is indeed a unique creature. The long 
THE PORPOISE [Phocwna communis). — This is the 
and single weapon which it carries in front is most 
most familiar Cetacean or Whale-like animal known 
surprising, as its extreme length would seem to pre- 
to our waters, although it is not often seen away 
elude its possible utility. A”et, no doubt, it has a 
from the sea shore. It is not easily captured, though 
wise purpose. One species only is known. In 
it frequents nearly every' bay or inlet of the coast. 
most respects it is like others of its order. Though 
Its name is coriupted from the Prench, which 
called the Sea Unicorn — the one-horn — ^yetit is really 
originally meant Hog-fish — Porc-poisson, 'I'he Por- 
provided with a rudimentary associate horn, or tooth. 
poise is about seven or eight feet in length, and its 
for the long weapon is truly a tusk enormously devel- 
young are remarkably large at birth, like many others 
oped. Instances are known where both tusks have de- 
of this order of animals. It is gregarious, herding 
veloped equally, and measuring seven feet and seven 
together, and following each other in regular lines ; 
and a half respectively. The great power possessed 
rolling to the surface to breathe, so exactly in line 
by this creature is seen in several recorded instances. 
as to resemble numbers of black shining wheels. 
where the tusk of a Narwhal had been thrust into 
Family (jtiwwiDiE, interests us as embracing more 
the bottom of a vessel, and left broken near the 
familiar forms, of which the Grampus, so well-known 
head of the animal. 'I’he ivory of the tusk is re- 
to sea-faring people, is a member. Genus Grampus 
garded as of considerable value. To the Greenlander 
has three species, neither of them credited to our 
the Narwhal is of the greatest importance. 'I’he long 
American waters. 
tusk furnishes material for his bows, arrows and in- 
Family Globiocephalid.e. — 'I’ his group is so named 
numerable objects that wood, a scarcer article to 
for the remarkable rounded head which gives a 
him, is usually applied to. The upi)er jaw of the 
strikingly different aspect to the creature from that 
young, or the female Narwhal, is provided with two 
of the usual snout-bearing forms. One species is 
small and hollow tusks. In the female these remain 
known in the harbor of Buenos Ayres — S. grayi ; an- 
undeveloped — they are the canine-teeth, and not 
other, B. intermedias, was described by Cope from a 
incisors, as would naturally be -suijposed. 'J'he left 
specimen taken in Delaware Bay. 'I'en other species 
tusk in the male rapidly becomes developed, but the 
are known in eastern waters. Bperaeocephalus is 
right remains inactive, and the j>arts become filled 
another genus, closely allied, with one species, found 
with bony substance, 'i’he length of this animal is 
in the British Channel. 
about thirteen feet, its tusk being considerably more 
Family ORCAOiE has two genera; Orca with eight 
than one half that measurenient. Jt is common to 
species — one of them found in California, one in 
the colder waters of both continents, and is largely 
Oregon, and one on the coast of South America ; and 
gregarious. Sowerby says it accompanies ships, as 
genus Ojiihysia, with one species, in the North Pacific. 
do the Dolphins. 
Family BnLUGiciE is notable for embracing the 
Fa.mily Pontopobiad^, ranking next, is character- 
familiar form called the White Whale, and the 
ized by having a very long beak. One genus, with 
curiously armed Narwhal. Dr. Gray records two 
one species, is found in the South Atlantic. 
