Outlines of Creation

by Elisha Noyce

FIG. 65.—WHALE> (Balena mysticetus).

7. The Cetacea, or Whale kind, inhabit chiefly the colder latitudes, they are entirely aquatic, but breathe air; the Whale, Narwal, Dolphins, and Porpoises are the chief members.

In Whales (fig. 65) the anterior extremities are so developed as to form a sort of fin called a "flipper," but in which all the usual bones of an extremity exist; the posterior extremities are modified so as to completely resemble the tail of a fish; they have smooth skins devoid of hair. All these tribes have a considerable thickness of fat or blubber (as it is called) beneath their skin; this protects them from the cold, for most of these creatures live in the very coldest climates, the oily matters acting as a non-conductor; it is for the oil yielded by this blubber that they are chiefly caught. The Cachelot or Sperm-whale (Phyceter macrocephalus) also yields spermaceti, which crystallizes from the oily matter contained in its head, and the Greenland-whale yields baleen or whale-bone, which is a substance forming a sort of sieve in the mouth, through which they draw the sea water and catch all it may contain for food, this consists of all small fish, but principally a small mollusc called the "Clio Borealis," which inhabits the northern seas in great numbers; a whole shoal of these is taken in by the Whale at a draught. The Whale often measures 60 or 70 feet in length, and the Razor-back Whale sometimes 100; a large Whale will yield 20 tuns of oil. The Narwal or Sea Unicorn is from 20 to 30 feet long; it has but one tooth, which is developed to a prodigious length, and projects in front in a straight line like a sort of horn, there are however sometimes two of these, one being always much larger than the other; this horn is 8 or 10 feet long, perfectly straight and twisted, it is used by the animal to break the ice so that it may breathe, and also to spear and capture fish, on which the Narwal lives. This horn produces beautiful ivory.

FIG. 67.—CARNIVORA.

Lion (Leo Barberus); 2, Tiger (Tigris regalis).

8. The Carnivora, or Flesh-eaters (fig. 67), include the Feline tribe, as the Lion, Tiger, Jaguar (fig. 68), Leopard, &c.; the Canine, as the Hyena, Wolf, Jackal, Dog, Fox, &c., the Ursine, which includes the Bears, and the Phocine, including the Seal kind. The Feline tribe are formed to spring upon, hold, and rend other animals which they kill for food, and have teeth and claws suitable to this purpose, and great activity and strength to enable them to contend with, and overcome their prey. They are, for the most part, nocturnal in their habits, seldom seeking their prey but in the night, and then mostly frequenting the drinking-places where other animals come for water. They attack by gradually stalking after the animal, getting nearer and nearer, till at last a well-directed spring brings them on to it at once. That these animals may better surprise their prey, they have eyes so extremely sensitive to light that they can see well when it would appear to Man to be quite dark, hence the saying, "cats can see in the dark." The Iris (or coloured part of the eyes) in this tribe is made so as to close up into a slit (1, fig. 66), and thus exclude the light of the day to a great extent, which would otherwise be too powerful, and injure the extreme sensibility of their vision. Their claws (2, fig. 66) are made to retract by a tendon, so as to keep their points from being worn by walking. This accounts for the silent, stealthy tread of the domestic cat; it enables them to creep quietly upon their prey, and at the moment they are about to seize them, the claws are extended. The pointed or flesh-teeth of the Carnivora are greatly developed, and are very sharp. Their molars (3, fig. 66) are pointed, and suitable to the food they are intended to masticate. The tongue of the feline tribe is very rough, and is used to rasp off the flesh from bones. When closely examined, the surface of their tongues present a series of horny hooks, all bending in one direction, and forming a sort of rasp.

FIG. 66.—1, EYE OF LION. 2, CLAW. 3, TEETH.

The Lion is usually placed at the head of this race, but it is questionable whether he is so powerful as the Bengal Tiger, and combats between the two, generally give the mastery to the Tiger.