three families, which may be represented by the Dolphin, the Spermaceti Whale, and the Baleen Whale, in all of which the nostrils are situated on the crown of the head, and act as blow-holes.

The common Dolphin is occasionally met with on the British shores, and is remarkable for the activity and playfulness of its gambols, and its evident delight in companionship. In these respects it resembles the common Porpoise

(Fig. 229), which, of all the Cetacea, is the species most usually seen around our coasts, entering our bays in pursuit of shoals of Herrings, and other fish, and attracting attention by the manner in which it rolls over, as it comes to the surface to breathe. The length of the body is from four to six feet.

The Cachalot or Spermaceti Whale, derives it common name from the peculiar and useful substance which it affords. The head is of enormous bulk, its length being nearly equal to half the entire length of the animal. The spermaceti, in a fluid state, is contained in compartments in the front part of the head. The creature reaches the length of

seventy feet; and its strength is so enormous, that a ship of large size has been stove in and foundered, by a blow inflicted by the head of an infuriated male cachalot of large size. The Common or Baleen Whale (Fig. 230) feeds upon small crustacea,

Fig. 230.-BALEEN WHALE.

mals diffused through it are retained. This sieve consists of a series of horny plates (Fig. 231) which hang like a fringe from the upper jaw, and are well known by the common, though not very correct appellation, of "whale-bone."

Other arrangements, no less perfect, are observable in the Whale, and adapt it for being the inhabitant of the arctic seas. The tail (Fig. 230), as has been already mentioned, is horizontal, while in fishes it is vertical. By fishes it is used as an instrument for progression in the water, and they may speed onwards in their course at nearly the same

uniform depth. But from the very nature of their organization, Whales are compelled to rise to the surface for each respiration; and as the tail is horizontal, it acts as an oar of inconceivable power; its superficial measurement in the larger species being not less than one hundred feet.

The substance to which we give the name of "blubber," . is arranged in such a way as to protect the animal from the pressure of the water, which must be enormous at the vast depths to which it descends; while, at the same time, it acts as a blanket in maintaining the heat of the body. Nor does its utility stop even here; it is specifically lighter than the sea-water, and though its weight sometimes exceeds thirty tons, it does not act as an incumbrance, but in reality renders the animal more buoyant.

Thus provided, the Rorqual, of ninety or a hundred feet in length, the largest of all Whales, and, consequently, of all existing animals, can propel its enormous bulk through the water, or float at ease upon the surface. Respecting such a creature, Milton, in the following beautiful lines, has recorded a tradition at one time current:

"Him, haply slumbering on the Norway foam,
The pilot of some small night-founder'd skiff
Deeming some island, oft, as seamen tell,
With fixed anchor in his scaly rind,
Moors by his side under the lee, while night

Invests the sea, and wished morn delays."

FLESH-EATING ANIMALS.

CARNIVORA.

"The Tiger darting fierce

Impetuous on the prey his glance has doom'd;
The lively, shining Leopard, sparkled o'er

With many a spot, the beauty of the waste;

And scorning all the taming arts of man."-THOMSON.

THE animals belonging to the present Order are those which live principally upon the flesh of other vertebrate animals, and in popular

language are termed beasts of prey. They have been arranged in five families.

I. The first is

that of the Seals (Fig. 232). Like the Whales, they are warm-blooded mammalia, living in the sea; but they are at once distinguished from them by the absence of the broad, flat, horizontal tail, the presence of four feet, shaped like fins, and other peculiarities. Their great haunt is the sea of the arctic regions, and the fishery, for so it is termed, is one of great value, both for the oil and the skins.

II. The Bears are remarkable for their great strength, their ponderous body, and their peculiar gait. The food of the

American Black Bear is principally vegetable; that of the Polar Bear is flesh, mostly that of the Seals. The Brown Bear (Fig. 233) is found in the mountainous parts of the Continent of Europe, and was formerly a native of Britain.

III. The family of the Weasels includes some well-known species: one of these is the Otter, which lives principally upon fish, and has occasionally been taught to aid the fisherman in his labours. All these animals are remarkable for the slenderness and flexibility of their bodies. The annexed figure of the Marten (Fig. 234) represents a species which