Abstract
A SINGLE visit to the Brighton Aquarium would suffice to convince a recent correspondent, Mr. Mattien Williams, that the intellect of the porpoise, as foreshadowed by its convoluted brain, exceeds, beyond comparison, that of the cod-fish or any other representatives of the piscine race. Of the two specimens now inhabiting the largest tank in the building, over one hundred feet long, the first-comer so readily accommodated itself to its altered conditions, that on the second day it took its food, smelts and sprats, from its keeper's hand; and has continued to do so ever since. The later arrival was, at first, less sociably inclined; but both have latterly become equally tame, and frequently, while receiving fish from my hand with the gentleness of pet dogs, have permitted me to pat and stroke their slippery india-rubber-like backs.
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KENT, W. Intellect of Porpoises . Nature 8, 229 (1873). https://doi.org/10.1038/008229a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/008229a0