The Porpoise. 413 
minster Bridge. They have no gills, and blow out the 
water with a loud noise, which in calm weather may 
be heard at a great distance. They are seen nearly in 
all seas, and are very common upon the British coasts, 
where they sport with great activity, chiefly at the 
approach of a squall. 
The Grampus (Phocoena Oreo) is a species of Torpoise, 
and a decided and inveterate enemy to whales ; which 
they attack in great flocks, fastening round them like 
so many bull-dogs, making them roar with pain, and 
frequently killing and devouring them. They are 
usually from twenty to twenty-five feet in length, and 
in general form and colour resemble the common Por- 
poise ; but the lower jaw is considerably wider than 
the upper, and the body is somewhat broader and more 
deep in proportion. The back-fin sometimes measures 
six feet in length. In one of the poems of Waller, a 
story (founded on fact) is recorded of the parental 
affection of these animals. A Grampus and her cub 
had got into an arm of the sea, where, by the desertion 
of the tide, they were enclosed on every side. The men 
on shore saw their situation, and ran down upon them 
with such weapons as they could at the moment collect. 
The poor animals were soon wounded in several places, 
so that all the immediately surrounding water was 
stained with their blood. They made many efforts to 
escape; and the old one, by superior strength, forced 
itself over the shallow into the ocean. But though in 
safety herself she would not leave her young one in the 
hands of assassins. She therefore again rushed in ; and 
seemed resolved, since she could not prevent, at least 
to share the fate of her offspring. The story concludes 
with poetical justice ; for the tide coming in, conveyed 
them both off in safety ; and it is probable, from the 
great thickness of their skins, that their wounds had 
not been very deep. 
