Recently a specimen was washed ashore on the coast of New Jersey and the skeleton sent to me for identification. I was surprised to find that it represented a species, _Mesoplodon densirostris_, which before had been recorded only near New Zealand. When in Japan in 1910 I saw a photograph of a whale which was said to occur at certain times of the year only in Tokyo Bay, and when a skeleton was finally secured for the American Museum of Natural History, the whale was found to represent an exceedingly rare species, _Berardius bairdi_, which had been taken only in Alaskan waters. Thus, it is evident that at the present time we know almost nothing about the distribution of these strange whales. Every year or two new species are being discovered and there is evidence to show that the family, as it now exists, is the last survivor of a once numerous group. CHAPTER XXIII HUNTING WHITE WHALES IN THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER The porpoises and dolphins which form the family Delphinidse are in all essential respects toothed whales.[16] Footnote 16: A glance at the classification in the Appendix will explain their relationship to other cetaceans. The name “porpoise” is usually applied to the round-headed members of the family, while “dolphin” distinguishes those which have pointed snouts or beaks. The fish (_Coryphæna_), properly called dolphin, which passes through brilliant changes of color when dying, is often confused with the cetacean because of its name, although, of course, they are not related in the remotest degree. Because of this confusion I seldom use the name dolphin but speak of all members of the group as porpoises. There are so many species of porpoises that it would not be possible in a book of this character to describe them all; therefore, as with the whales, only those of commercial importance will be considered. Most of the members of this family are small, only the killer whale (see Chapter XVIII) and the blackfish exceeding twenty feet in length. [Illustration: The white whale, or white porpoise. The skin of this species furnishes much of the “porpoise hide” leather of commerce. ] The white porpoise, or white whale as it is more usually called, is not only the most beautiful but also one of the most important members of the family, for it is this animal which furnishes much of the porpoise hide and porpoise oil of commerce. Like its nearest relative, the narwhal, it is a northern species, seldom being found where the water is far above the freezing point; but during the spring the animals come into the St. Lawrence River by thousands and some remain throughout the summer. In early June of 1909 I left New York for the little French town of Tadoussac at the mouth of the Saguenay River to study these interesting cetaceans and secure skeletons and plaster casts for exhibition in the Museum.