This day, on board the Peacock, they witnessed a sea-fight between a whale and one of its many enemies.  The sea was quite smooth, and offered the best possible view of the whole combat.  First, at a distance from the ship, a whale was seen floundering in a most extraordinary way, lashing the smooth sea into a perfect foam, and endeavouring apparently to extricate himself from some annoyance.  As he approached the ship, the struggle continuing and becoming more violent, it was perceived that a fish, apparently about twenty feet long, held him by the jaw, his contortions, spouting, and throes, all betokening the agony of the huge monster.  The whale now threw himself at full length from the water with open mouth, his pursuer still hanging to the jaw, the blood issuing from the wound and dyeing the sea to a distance around; but all his flounderings were of no avail; his pertinacious enemy still maintained his hold, and was evidently getting the advantage of him.  Much alarm seemed to be felt by the many other whales around.  These “killers,” as they are called, are of a brownish colour on the back, and white on the belly, with a long dorsal fin.  Such was the turbulence with which they passed, that a good view could not be had of them to make out more nearly the description.  These fish attack a whale in the same way as dogs bait a bull, and worry him to death.  They are armed with strong sharp teeth, and generally seize the whale by the lower jaw.  It is said that the only part of them they eat is the tongue.  The whalers give some marvellous accounts of these killers, and of their immense strength; among them, that they have been known to drag a whale away from several boats which were towing it to the ship.

WAR DANCES OF THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Wishing to see their war-dances, I requested the chief Pomare to gratify us with an exhibition, which he consented to do.  The ground chosen was the hillside of Mr. Clendon, our consul’s place, where between three and four hundred natives, with their wives and children, assembled.  Pomare divided the men into three parties or squads, and stationed these at some distance from each other.  Shortly after this was done, I received a message from him, to say that they were all hungry, and wanted me to treat them to something to eat.  This was refused until they had finished their dance, and much delay took place in consequence.  Pomare and his warriors were at first immoveable; but they, in a short time, determined they would unite on the hill-top, which was accordingly ordered, although I was told they were too hungry to dance well.  Here they arranged themselves in a solid column, and began stamping, shouting, jumping, and shaking their guns, clubs, and paddles in the air, with violent gesticulations, to a sort of savage time.  A more grotesque group cannot well be imagined; dressed, half-dressed, or entirely naked.  After much preliminary