Hyena Whale Dorsal Fin Swimming Trait
When swimming, the Hyena Whale has a distinctive habit of displaying its dorsal hooked fin, which bears resemblance to a Roman nose in appearance.
Hyena Whale Capture for Domestic Oil
Sperm whale hunters sometimes capture the Hyena Whale when more profitable opportunities are unavailable. The purpose is to maintain a supply of inexpensive oil suitable for household use.
Hyena Whale Oil Yield Despite Thin Blubber
Although the Hyena Whale’s blubber is notably thin, some individuals can yield over thirty gallons of oil, making them commercially viable despite their modest insulation.
LIBRO II. (Octavo), CHAPTER III. (Narwhale), that is, _Nostril
This chapter examines the narwhale, a curiously named whale whose horn was originally mistaken for a peaked nose.
Narwhale Name Origin
The narwhale derives its curious name from its peculiar horn, which was originally mistaken for a peaked nose.
Narwhale Tusk Anatomy
The narwhale measures approximately sixteen feet in length, with a tusk averaging five feet, though some exceed ten and even reach fifteen feet. This horn is technically a lengthened tusk growing from the jaw at a slight depression from the horizontal, but it is found only on the sinister side, giving the creature an appearance analogous to a clumsy left-handed person.
Theorized Tusk Uses
The precise purpose of the narwhale’s ivory horn remains uncertain. Unlike the sword-fish or bill-fish, it does not appear to serve as a weapon. Some sailors believe it functions as a rake for turning over the sea bottom to find food. Charley Coffin suggested it serves as an ice-piercer, with the narwhale thrusting its horn upward to break through polar sea ice. The narrator offers a humorous alternative theory that it would be convenient for reading pamphlets, though acknowledges none of these theories can be proven.
Narwhale Colloquial Names
The narwhale is known by several colloquial names: the Tusked whale, the Horned whale, and the Unicorn whale. It represents a curious example of unicornism found throughout nearly every kingdom of animated nature.
Historical Narwhale Horn Significance
Ancient texts record that the sea-unicorn’s horn was highly valued as a great antidote against poison, commanding immense prices. It was also distilled into volatile salts for fainting ladies, similar to how deer horns are manufactured into hartshorn. The horn itself was considered an object of great curiosity. Sir Martin Frobisher reportedly presented a prodigious narwhale horn to Queen Elizabeth I upon his return from a voyage, which hung in Windsor Castle. An Irish author noted that the Earl of Leicester similarly presented another horn belonging to a land beast of unicorn nature.
Narwhale Appearance and Habitat
The narwhale displays a picturesque, leopard-like appearance with a milk-white ground colour marked by round and oblong black spots. Its oil is superior in quality—clear and fine—though sparse in quantity. The species is rarely hunted and inhabits primarily the circumpolar seas.
LIBRO II. (Octavo), CHAPTER IV. (Killer).—Of this whale little is
This chapter addresses the little-understood Killer whale, a creature unfamiliar to Nantucket whalers and unexplored by professional naturalists. The chapter examines the whale’s characteristics, behavior, and the philosophical implications of its name.
Little Known to Nantucketer
The Killer whale remains largely unknown to Nantucket whalers, who possess extensive knowledge of most whale species. Professional naturalists have contributed nothing to the understanding of this creature. Neither practical whaling experience nor scientific study has documented the animal adequately.
Grampus Size
From distant observation, the Killer whale appears comparable in size to a grampus. This relative sizing provides the only dimensional information available about the creature, suggesting it falls within a medium range among marine predators.
Savage Feegee Fish
The Killer whale is characterized as a savage creature, drawing comparison to the fierce Feegee fish. This comparison emphasizes the whale’s aggressive nature and predatory disposition within the marine ecosystem.
Attacks Folio Whales
The Killer employs a distinctive hunting strategy against the massive Folio whales, attaching itself to the victim’s lip and clinging like a leech. This relentless attack continues until the larger whale succumbs to exhaustion and worry, demonstrating the Killer’s persistence as a predator.
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