Ebook The Marine Mammals of the North-Western Coast of North America

Being on the coast Of California in 1852, when the gold-fever raged, the force of circumstances compelled me to take command of a brig, bound on a seal ing, sea-elephant, and whaling voyage, or abandon sea-life, at least temporarily. The Objects Of our pursuit were found in great numbers, and the Opportunities for studying their habits were so good, that I became greatly interested in col leeting facts bearing upon the natural history of these animals. Reference to the few books devoted to the subject soon convinced me that I was at work in a department in which but little definite knowledge existed. This was true even of the whales, the best known Of this class; and I was soon led to believe that, by diligent Observation, I should be able to add materially to the scanty stock of infor mation existing in regard to the marine mammals of the Pacific Coast. I was the more encouraged to pursue these investigations, because, among the great number Of intelligent men in command Of Whaling-ships, there was no one who had contrib uted anything Of importance to the natural history of the Cetaceans; while it was Obvious that the opportunities Offered for the study Of their habits, to those prae tically engaged in the business Of whaling, were greater than could possibly be enjoyed by persons not thus employed. The chief Object in this work is to give as correct figures Of the different Species of marine mammals, found on the Pacific Coast of North America, as could be Obtained from a careful study of them from life, and numerous measurements after death, made whenever practicable. It is also my aim to give as full an account Of the habits Of these animals as practicable, together with such facts in reference to their geographical distribution as have come to my knowledge.