A WHALE PARENT'S DEVOTION.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 26 December 1881, Page 2

A WHALE PARENT'S DEVOTION.

Sperm whales usually travel in sboaia and in going into a body, composed of 'cowa and calves' the latter, although yielding but a small amount jpf, oil, are 'struck* first. By this raetfiob' bbtlj ire igapture^. Thebo)oer' will not leave her offspring, neither will it attack the boat, but will remain close to tbe calf, apparently urging it to escape by sounding or by flight. Ihe 'little onef can, only remain a short time being constantly a targe 1 "' for lances, whicih she will continue to receive, although not made fast to the boat, until life is extinct, when the calf will be killed. *oe ; will sacrifice' ber own life in the attempt to assist her young, and to auy one, except a wha'er it wouM appear a cold* blooded and hea£ile«i9^murder. Even they cannot heloa^iriug 4he/ devotion, and will endafrvoT to make' the struggle as brief^B possible. The 'calf exhibits no filial affection, for if the mother is harpooned first be will immeditttrly take French leave leaving ihe * old lady ' to fight Her own battles Kxtreme caution is used when striking a calf to avoid a mortal wound, aj his ! death is sure to be followed by the flight of the cow, who knows it instantly.