62 
ANIMAL CURIOSITIES 
associated with a propensity for exploring 
the auditory organs of mankind. 
Although it is hardly necessary to state 
that a whale is a mammal and not a fish, yet 
a considerable degree of misconception appears 
to prevail in regard to its habit of “ blowing ” 
or “ spouting.” It is frequently stated that 
the creature, when thus engaged, ejects a 
spout of water from its nostrils, whereas, in 
reality, it merely expels its breath before 
making a fresh inspiration, the air thus dis¬ 
charged from its warm body becoming condensed 
as it comes into contact with the cold atmo¬ 
sphere, and forming an ascending jet of 
vapour. Should, however, the whale commence 
to blow while its nostrils remain just below the 
surface of the ocean, as frequently happens, 
a small proportion of water will be forced 
upwards and become mingled with the 
vaporized breath. 
In former days it was believed that the 
chameleon lived on air alone, while the sala¬ 
mander was supposed to be able to exist in the 
midst of fire, and even to be evolved from 
very intense heat. Then, again, the vampire 
bat has been credited with the habit of sucking 
the blood of human beings while they sleep, 
the creature fanning its victims with its wings 
in order to induce them to slumber more 
