WHALES

form two sub-orders of the large Mammal tribe of Crracra: (1) The Mystacocerri, or Whalebone W.’s, and (2) the Opontocrri, or Toothed W.’s. The Whalebone W.’s or Right W.’s belonging to the family Batynipa, found in all oceans are distinguished by the presence of whalebone, which, far from being bone, consists of horny baleen plates fringed on one border, and hanging down edgewise from the palate. The baleen, of which there may be as many as 300 plates, sometimes 10-15 ft. in length, may be present in the mouth of an adult animal, and serves as a strainer for food. Of other Whales belonging to the Balenide, the Grrar may be mentioned; it is the largest animal now in existence, sometimes measuring 80 ft. in length, and in common with the Lxz pr Roraguat (Balenopterarostrata) is distinguished by a dorsal fin, a characteristic which has given rise to the sailor’s name of Finner Whales. Of the Toothed Whales, or Odontoceti, the Spprm WuHatres (Physeter ide) are found in all seas; the best-known species is the great square-headed Sperm large, similar teeth on the lower although the smaller of the teeth of the upper jaw are sometimes also functional. It frequents the torial oceans in schools. The Sperm is valued for the spermaceti oil contained in a ma of loose cells on the surface of its head, and for ambergris, prized for the manufacture of perfumes. Belonging to the same family, trat us) is confined to the N. Atlantic. Baleen W.’s feed mainly on the floating organisms of the sea, such the Sea Butterflies or Pteropods, Toothed W.’s prefer a more substantial diet, the Sperm feeding aimost Whale fishery is of great antiquity, the Norwegians being expert fishers over 1000 years ago, while French and Spanish were interested the industry in the X.—XVI. supplying Europe with oil and bone. The Dutch, Eskimos, Japanese, and Americans have all at one time another engaged in the trade. whale hunted from X.—-XVI. was probably the Atlantic right but so great was the slaughter that were almost exterminated. In times Green land became a popular for whale fishing. The Dutch a station there, and in 1680 they 266 ships, and 14,000 men engaged the trade, but at the close of the cent. Dutch whale fishing had ceased. The whale fishing from American ports, especially New Bedford, great industry in the early part middle of the nineteenth century. the substitution of the oils for whale the demand le ened, and whale diminished in importance. There still a considerable number of ‘equipped with modern devices, hunt whales from American ports. guished officer in Cromweli’s eustodian of Charles I. at Court, 1648; sat as judge at king’s and signed the death-warrant; to New England, 1660. WORTH (1845), an American born in Southampton Furnace, She began writing early in life, ly on colonial and revolutionary jects. She also wrote many stories and articles for magazines W. newspapers. She was a member of many several historical societies. jaw, WHARTON, EDITH (NEW BOLD invisible JONES) (1862), an American author, b. in New York City. She was educated equaunder private tutors and in 1885 married W. Edward Wharton, of Boston. She has acquired considerable popularity in this upper country. Among her books are The Great Inclination, 1899; The Touch: stone, 1900; The Valley of Decision, the 1902; Italian Villas and their Gardens, ros1904; Tales of Men and Ghosts, 1910 Fighting France, 1915 and The Age qj minute Innocence,1920. as