Volume 16, Plate XVII / Mammalia (Mammals)

Deductor, or Ca’ing Whale

Sixteen to twenty-four feet long and almost wholly black, smooth and shining like oiled silk, with a prominent rounded head, a central crescent-shaped dorsal fin and long narrow pectorals, it carries conical interlocking teeth. The most sociable of its order, it herds in innumerable flocks following an old leader with blind confidence, is easily driven ashore in great numbers, and feeds on sand-lances and smaller fish through northern seas.