THE WHALE'S BELLOW.
[To max EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—I cannot remember if you definitely put a stop to the discussion in the Spectator whether whales are able to emit vocal sounds or not. If you did not forbid its continuance, you might perhaps consider the following piece of evidence from Evelyn's Diary as of interest. Under date of June 3rd, 1658, he describes the capture of a whale near his own landing. place on the Thames, not far from Greenwich. He says, "After an horrid grone it ran quite on shore and died." The whole passage seems to show great exactness of description. I well remembered the passage, but had forgotten the "horrid grone " till I came upon, it while turning over the pages again the other day. It struck me that it might interest those con- cerned in the controversy in the Spectator.—I am, Sir, &c., The Universities' _Mission, G. H. WiLsois. Mponda's, Fort Johnston, British Nyasaland. August 9t11, 1913.
Previous page
