[33] There is at the Stadthouse at Amsterdam, the skull of a Narwhal, with two horns. There is likewise a skull to be seen in Hamburgh, having two horns, each above seven feet long, and eight inches round.
Naturalists differ greatly as to the food of the unicorn. Perhaps it differs with the parts of the ocean it inhabits. Small fishes, _Mollusca_ and _Actinea_, are their more general food.
The Narwhal swims with great swiftness, and, like the other cetacea, cannot remain long under the water without respiring. When frightened, or attacked, they huddle together in such numbers that they force their long horns into the body of each other, and thereby become an easy prey to their pursuers.
This animal, though seemingly harmless, is, as already mentioned, a dangerous enemy of the common whale; and has been known to dart its horn into the side of a ship[34]. The vessel must have sunk had not the horn been broken off by the violence of the stroke.
The oil produced by the _Monodon monoceros_, though scanty, is, in point of quality, superior to any other cetaceous oil.
The horn of the Narwhal was long the object of a kind of superstitious respect. It was said to be efficacious in the cure of several distempers; and was prized as being of the very highest value. The Margraves of Bareuth possessed one which cost them 600,000 rix dollars; and the kings of Denmark have a most magnificent throne formed of these horns, which is esteemed more valuable than if composed of gold. Captain Scoresby (of the Resolution,) has a very fine bed made of the same materials. It is reckoned a great curiosity, and is extremely handsome. The horn is of a finer texture, and takes a better polish than that of the elephant.
11th, Got two fish. Several sail of Greenlandmen in company.
12th, Strong easterly breeze. Ran a considerable way to the westward.
13th and 14th, Gale increased, and we ran a considerable way farther to the westward. Cold very intense.
June 15th, Latitude, by observation, 78° 13´. Made fast to a large iceberg.
16th, Got a size fish. While we were made fast to this iceberg, some of the crew had put a piece of blubber to the fire, and, allured by the smell, a very large bear came and put his nose over the gunwale. One of the harpooners shot him; but a squall coming on, we did not bring the carcass on board.