62 
MAMMALIA. 
Schelogskoi to Behring’s Straits ; and it is true that there are 
everywhere along this tract the remains of huts constructed of 
earth and Whale bones, and quite different from the present dwell- 
ings of the Tschuktschi.” * 
But to return to the account given by Arrian of the great 
Indian Rorqual. He informs us that when, in the morning, 
Hearchus was off Kyiza or Guttar, his people were surprised by 
observing the sea thrown up to a great height in the air, as if it 
were carried up by a whirlwind. The people were alarmed, and 
inquired of their pilot what might he the cause of the pheno- 
menon ; he informed them that it proceeded from the blowing of 
the Whale, and that it was the practice of the creature as he 
sported in the sea. His report by no means quieted their alarm ; 
they stopped rowing from astonishment, and the oars fell from 
their hands. Hearchus encouraged them, and recalled them to 
their duty, ordering the heads of the vessels to he pointed at the 
several creatures as they approached, and to attack them as they 
would the vessels of an enemy in battle : the fleet immediately 
formed as if going to engage, and advanced by a signal given ; 
when, shouting altogether, and dashing the water with their oars, 
with the trumpets sounding at the same time, they had the satis- 
faction to see the enemy give way ; for upon the approach of the 
vessels, the monsters ahead sunk before them, and rose again 
astern, where they continued their blowing without exciting any 
further alarm. All the credit of the victory fell to the share of 
Hearchus, and the acclamations of the people expressed their 
acknowledgment, both to his judgment and fortitude, employed 
in their unexpected delivery. 
“ The simplicity of the foregoing narrative,” continues the 
translator, Mr. Yincent, “ bespeaks its truth; the circumstances 
being such as would naturally occur to men who had seen animals 
of this magnitude for the first time ; and the better knowledge 
which our navigators are possessed of, who pursue the Whale in its 
Polar retreats, shows that he is sometimes as dangerous an enemy 
as he appeared to the followers of Hearchus.” 
This is the first distinct account of a great Cetacean of which 
we have any knowledge ; and yet, singular to remark, the par- 
* Von* Wrangell’s Narrative of an 'Expedition to the Polar Sea (Sabine’s translation), 
1840, pp. 360, 372. 
