The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-17

they babitually inhabit comparatively shallow
seas. while the sperm whale, Physeter macro-
cephalus or the toothed whale with big head,
LIVES IN THE OPEN OCEAN,
and seeks his food in it's pTofoundest depths.
In the first instance, the gulet is small though
probably not contracted to the degree usually
supposed, if we may judge from the size of the
mouth, the amount of its contents and the time
occupied in swallowing In the second animal,
it admits great masses OF shark and deep-sea
fish, which, with the giant squid, constitute the
creatures food. 1t was by emosis in wounded
sperm whales that the old Morse tales of the
Kraalsen were shown to be founded in fact. Capt.
Davis supposes that this monster-the octopus,
or great cuttlelish-is attracted by the CLEAN
of the whales white mouth in the darkness of
the deep sea, while its immense body, being
black, or nearly SO, remains invisible At all
events, the formidable cephalopod is eaten.
CachalOts are very pugnaeiOus. Old bulls
always present Scared appearance about tho
head from their numerous battles, and very
frequently also their teeth are broken.
Both families exhibit considerable solicitude
for their young, which are born alive, and
measure about Ia feet at birth. 1t seems
to be tho case among the larger cetacea,
generally, that, If cow is struck, her male
companion will commonly remain in the viGin-
Ity, as ii seeking TO render aid but as soon as
death occurs they at once run to windward. A
whale Is a nervous creature, and ScOresby as
serts that "a bird lighting on it will set it off
in great agitation" As was said, its hearing is
dull, yet the universal testimony of observers
goes TO show that splash in the water is at
once recognized, and at long distance 1t is "a
well known fact among whaemen that the
flourish Of the fukGs, given by 81 struck or
CALLED (scared) whale, telegraphs the fact of
his fright or misfortune to all its allies within
n circuit of several miles, and this indepen-
IDENTIFY of the state of the weather and sea, and
also of their position with reference to the wind.
No whales spout water, and none of the larger
species ever leap clear of the surface. All
"s0und," but the sperm whale usually goes
deeper and remains submerged longer than the
baleen. Each form has its ocean habitat, though
their regions are not always strictly defined,
tho former in the middle and warmer, the lat
ter in seas to the north and south. where the
temperature is lower. Like all animals when
pressed, whales will defend themselves. The
toothed family use these weapons, and their
jaws and fiukes fighting, as whalemen say,
head on" while the others, of whom it is said
that they can "cut from eye to eye" depend
chiefly upon blows inflicted with the tail,
which ID as hard as iron aud more elastic than
steel" Before the invention of steam and of
bOmb-guns." whaling was in every way one
of the most dangerous of all occupations, and
a long and interesting chapter in descriptive
zoology might readily be compiled from au-
theutic narratives of the perils and accidents
TO which the Nimrods of the Sea" have been
exposed from the strength. activity, aud often
the determined ferocity of their game.
To be continued