The blackfish (Olobiocephalus fnelas) derives its English name
from its nearly uniform black coloration, while its generic title refers to the
characteristic globular form of the head. In size this species is one of the
largest representatives of the family, attaining a length of about 20 feet.
In addition to its beakless globular head, the blackfish is characterised by the
long, low, and thick back-fin, the long and narrow flippers, and the small size
and number of the teeth, which are confined to the front of the jaws. The usual
number of the teeth is from eight to twelve on each side of the jaws, but in a
distinct variety or species from the Bay of Bengal they are rather fewer. The
skull is very broad and much depressed: and the union between the two branches
of the lower jaw veiy short. In the typical form there is a large spear-shaped
white area on the chest, extending from the comers of the mouth to the flippers.
This white area is, however, absent in certain forms, which have been regarded
as indicating distinct species.
The ordinary blackfish has a wide distribution, having been obtained from the
coasts of Europe, the Atlantic coast of North America, the Cape of Good Hope,
and New Zealand. Mr. True considers, however, that the blackfish of the North
Pacific (G. scammoni), and also the one found on the Atlantic coast to the south
of New Jersey, are distinct species; and there is also some evidence of the
existence of a fourth in the Bay of Bengal. In Europe
Distribution: The blacktish or, as it is often called, the pilot-whale, or
ca'ing whale, is a frequent although irregular visitant to the British coasts;
and it occasionally extends as far north as Greenland. In the Mediterranean it
appears to be rare. The blackfish is the most gregarious of all the
Cetaceans, assembling in herds which frequently comprise from two hundred to
three hundred individuals, and occasionally include as many as one thousand or
even two thousand. The members of a herd always blindly follow a leader, after
the manner of a flock of sheep, and from this strange habit the species derives
its names of pilot-whale and ca'ing ( = driving) whale. Curiously enough, if the
leader of a herd happen to run into shoal-water and become stranded, the other
members follow suit; and in this way large numbers are often captured by the
inhabitants of Iceland and the Faroe, Orkney, and Shetland Islands. In
disposition this species is mild and gentle, and thus offei's a marked contrast
to the killer. Its chief and favourite food is cuttle-fish, but it is said also
to eat fish. The young, of which there is generally but one at a birth, are said
to be born in the late summer, and suckled throughout the winter.
Regarding their capture in the islands of the North Sea and Atlantic, the late
Prof. Bell writes that, on the appearance of a herd, " the whole fishing
squadron of the neighbourhood is put into requisition, each boat being provided
with a quantity of stones. The first object is to get to seaward of the victims,
then the boats are formed into a large semicircle, and the whole herd is driven
into some bay or creek. The stones are thrown to splash and frighten the whales
if they try to break back ; and in Faroe ropes are stretched from boat to boat,
with wisps of straw hung at intervals. Should one whale break through the line
all is lost, as the rest will follow it in spite of every exertion of the
fishermen. But if they are forced into shallow water, they plunge wildly on till
they strand themselves, and then the whole population rush upon them, armed with
harpoons, spears, hatchets, picks, spades,—any weapon that comes to hand,—and
the cries and dying struggles of the poor animals, the shouts of the men, the
clash of the weapons, and the bloody and troubled sea combine to form an
extremely exciting, if somewhat revolting scene." It is stated that in this
manner no less than 1110 blackfish were captured in Iceland in the winter of
1809-10, while upwards of 2080 were taken in Faroe within a period of six weeks
during the year 1845 -
The Royal Natural History: Mammals, birds By Richard Lydekker - 1895 Edited by
Stanley L. Klos 1999
Forgotten Founders Historic Documents and Coins of Freedom - By Stanley
L. Klos - Last Exhbit at the 2008 GOP Convention:
http://www.pinellasrepublican.org/
Forgotten Founders Historic Documents and Coins of Freedom - By Stanley
L. Klos
Uncommon Sense: President Obama and
US China Trade 1784-2009
The United Colonies 1st
government began in a Philadelphia Tavern
and the United States 1st federal government ended in a
NYC Tavern!
The Founders convened the government in 11 different capitol buildings and
experienced 15 years of challenges that
included war,
hyper-inflation, a failed
constitution, judicial corruption, armed citizen and U.S. Army rebellions.
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