Porpoise
the Phocæna communis, and any species of the genus; loosely applied by plied by sailors to any of the smaller The common porpoise, when full grown , attains a length of about five feet. The head is rounded in front, and the snout is not produced into a beak.
The external surface is shining and hairless, dark gray or black on the upper parts, under pure white. It is gregarious in habit, and is often seen in small herds, frequenting the coasts rather than the open seas. It often ascends rivers.
It is found on the coasts of Scandinavia, and ranges as far N. as Baffin Bay and as far W. as the coast of the United critic; born in East Ruston, England,