also for its attachment to its young, and may
be frequently seen urging and assisting them to escape from danger,
with the most unceasing care and fondness. They are not less remarkable
for strong feeling of sociality and attachment to one another. This is
carried to so great an extent, that, where one female of a herd is
attacked or wounded, her faithful companions will remain around her to
the last moment, until they are wounded themselves. This act of
remaining by a wounded companion is called "heaving to," and whole
"schools," or herds, have been destroyed by dexterous management, when
several ships have been in company, wholly from their possessing this
remarkable disposition.

In the year 1814, an English harpooner struck a cub, in hopes of
attracting the attention of the mother. When the young one was wounded,
the whale rose to the surface, seized the cub, and dragged a hundred
fathoms of line from the boat with great velocity. She again rose to
the surface, and dashed furiously about, seemingly deeply concerned for
the fate of her young one. Although closely pursued, she did not again
descend; and, regardless of the surrounding danger, continued in this
state, till she received three harpoons, and was at length killed.

There are few incidents in which the enterprise and power of man are
more strikingly displayed than in the chase and capture of the whale.
It would be easy to fill a volume with thrilling tales of adventure in
this hazardous vocation. One of the most curious occurrences upon
record, in relation to the whale fishery, happened to a Nantucket ship
some years since in the Pacific Ocean. An attack having been made upon
a young whale, the dam went to a distance, and, turning toward the
ship, came against the bow with a terrific force, which beat it in, and
the vessel sank, only allowing time for the hands to get into the boat.
In this they roamed upon the ocean for several weeks, and, when
emaciated to the last degree by fatigue and privation, they were
finally picked up and saved.

CLASS II. AVES.... BIRDS.

It is evident that this class of animals are generally destined to live
a portion of their time in the air, and to perch upon trees. The
scientific naturalist is struck with admiring wonder when he comes to
examine the adaptation of these creatures to their modes of life. The
ingenuity of contrivance, in giving strength, yet lightness, to the
frame of the bird, is perhaps unequalled in