The latter were horribly frightened and strained to their chains, whining; the head of one killer must certainly have been within 5 feet of one of the dogs.
After this, whether they thought the game insignificant, or whether they missed Ponting is uncertain, but the terrifying creatures passed on to other hunting grounds, and we were able to rescue the dogs, and what was even more important, our petrol—5 or 6 tons of which was waiting on a piece of ice which was not split away from the main mass.
Of course, we have known well that killer whales continually skirt the edge of the floes and that they would undoubtedly snap up anyone who was unfortunate enough to fall into the water; but the facts that they could display such deliberate cunning, that they were able to break ice of such thickness (at least 2½ feet), and that they could act in unison, were a revelation to us. It is clear that they are endowed with singular intelligence, and in future we shall treat that intelligence with every respect.
Notes on the Killer or Grampus (Orca gladiator)
One killed at Greenwich, 31 feet.
Teeth about 2½ inches above jaw; about 3½ inches total length.
‘British Quadrupeds’—Bell:
‘The fierceness and voracity of the killer, in which it surpasses all other known cetaceans.’
In stomach of a 21 ft. specimen were found remains of 13 porpoises and 14 seals.
