. The marine mammals of the north-western coast of North America, described and illustrated; together with an account of the American whale-fishery. ! -. ??•?? EB MACROCE THE SPERM WHALE. 77 around from side to side with its flakes, to ascertain whether there is any objectwithin reach. At other times, when at play, it will elevate its flukes high in theair, then strike them clown with great force, which raises the water into sprayand foam about it; this is termed lobtailing. Oftentimes it descends a fewfathoms beneath the waves ; then, giving a powerful shoot nearly out of the wa
. The marine mammals of the north-western coast of North America, described and illustrated; together with an account of the American whale-fishery. ! -. ??•?? EB MACROCE THE SPERM WHALE. 77 around from side to side with its flakes, to ascertain whether there is any objectwithin reach. At other times, when at play, it will elevate its flukes high in theair, then strike them clown with great force, which raises the water into sprayand foam about it; this is termed lobtailing. Oftentimes it descends a fewfathoms beneath the waves ; then, giving a powerful shoot nearly out of the waterat an angle of forty-five degrees or less, falls on its side, or leaps bodily out in asemi-lateral attitude, coming down with a heavy splash, producing a pyramid offoam which may be seen from the mast-head, on a clear day, at least ten miles,and is of great advantage to the whaler in searching for his prey. These singularantics of the Sperm Whale are said to be performed in order to rid itself of atroublesome parasite, known among the whale - fishers by the name of Suckfish;but the animal is seldom infested with the parasitic Cru
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Keywords: ., bookcent, bookdecade1870, booksubjectdolphins, booksubjectwhaling
