Washington telegraph., 1854-07-12
THE KILLER WHALE.

IN Lieutenant MauEy's description of the
whale, he makes some remarks fish of the
above Species called the killer This fish is de-
scribed in Porter's Journal of cruise to the Pa
ciGc. This fish is so well known to the old salts
of the whaling trade and Pacific cruisers. that
have thought it equally well known to the scien-
tifc Having on more than one occasion been an
eye witness of the attacks OF this fish on the whale
| will attempt description of it:
The killer is the wolf of the ocean, and hunt
in packs, and their tall dorsal fins can be constant
ly seen above the water. This fish has ALWAYS
a companion, but swimming deeper, the sword
fish, and now and then can be seen the shark
On sighting their prey, which the killer sees at
great distance, the pack gives chase: the uncon-
sclous whale is slowly moving near the surface
and occasionally spouting, it We're in sport lets
of water above him But be now suddenly sees
the seawolf near him. Instinct at once teaches
him that on the surface he cannot be safe. and
taking in long breath. he flukes, that is. dives
But there has been another enemy watching him
from the depths below, the sword fish, which now
darts at HIM with the velocity of lightning and
perorates the whale beneath with his long and
spear like nose. This sends him at oace to the
surface; here he again meets with his enemy the
killer" but as yet they are afraid to approach
him. The whale now begins to see the extent of
his danger, and for time merely lashes the va
ter with his ponderous iuke. He soon tires Of
this, and remains for short time at rest; the
pack now approach him. and be seeks safety in
flight. But what can he do9 The poor whale
has hump on his back and stears unsteadily.
while the killers tall and stiff fin steadies him
on his course. Nearer and nearer approaches the
pack to their victim; again he takes long breath
and dives. The sword fish has steadily kept him
in view; he too has tall fin and long slender pro-
peIng tail; and while it is effort to the whale
to Increase his speed it is but play to the sword
fish, which again darts ard perforates his prey,
and sends the wounded whale again to the sur
face. The race again commences, but this time
with diminished speed, the killers having separ
ated to watch the rise of the whale, who finding
his enemies in every direction. courses in circle
and again makes a third, and sometimes fourth
attempt to escape by diving, but is ALWAYS met
by the terrible spike of the sword fish, He at
last weak, exhausted, and dispirted, returns to
the surface, where he again attempts escape by
flight Streams of blood mark lis course: his en-
emies still follow steadily after him until he stops
and begins to lash and make the ocean team
around him; but now large streams of his life
blood are pouring out and he is only increasing
his weakness by the exerton, and merely lashng
amidst his own gore. Tired exhausted and faint
he rolls over.
The deep red streaks of blood flowing from
large orices in his white belly can now be dis
tincty seen. The hungry pack now close, and
one more bold than the rest seizeS him by the
throat and tears away the white skin and fat, he
opens his mouth and bellows with pain. This is
generally the signal for combined attack His
tongue Is seized and torn from his mouth; so are
his eyes. The sword fish now rises to the sur
face, and his tall spar like protuberance is seen
projecting over the body ofthe whale; the sharks
also close in and feed on the tat rejected by the
killers In this state the whale makes few dy-
ing struggles The feast now commences and
continues until the fat and sufficient flesh is strip
ped OF to cause the carcass to become too heavy
A-o4 4o,4 4l1.e, y
left to enjoy his few streaks OF tat while the kill
ler pack, accompanied by his companion, the
sword fish, roves again the broad ocean to seek an
other leviathan OF the great deep.