dark, new and brilliant shades flash forth that change and glow in
showy tints. In our beak are thirty or forty sharp teeth on each side of
the jaw. Our voices are peculiar. We are said to make a kind of moan,
which you know is not a very cheerful sound. This is strange, as we are
really very lively creatures, and bright and happy in disposition, not
at all moany or sad.

Then we have a kind of small tank or reservoir inside the chest and near
the spine which is filled with pure blood. This, you must know, is
separate from the veins, and if we stay very long under water we can
draw from this reserve supply, causing it to circulate through the body.

There is a great deal of wisdom in all this that a poor fish cannot
understand, but Folks must know how these strange things come about, and
who makes and guides all creatures everywhere. But a Dolphin cannot take
it in at all.

We are a merry, friendly tribe. There probably are no fish that swim the
sea that are fonder of Folks than we Dolphins. And we cannot help
feeling quite proud because of what Folks have appeared to think of us.
And I must explain why I do so grand a thing as to call myself "Lord
Dolphin."

To begin with: In long years past, in "ancient times," as they are
called, Folks had an idea that we were able to do them good in some
ways, and so were of special value to them. And certain old coins or
pieces of money had the figure of a Dolphin stamped on them. It also was
on medals, which, you know, are of gold, silver, and copper, and are
given to Folks as a reward for having done a good or a brave deed.

The figure of a Dolphin was also sometimes embroidered on ribbon to be
used as a badge, showing that the wearer belonged to a particular
society or order using the Dolphin as an emblem. Or it might be, again,
that the figure showed one to be a member of an ancient or noble family.

Then there are strange and attractive stories of "myths," imaginary
forms or persons, like fairies, gods, and goddesses. When you are older
you will study about these ancient, make-believe beings, and the study
will be called myth-ology, telling curious, interesting stories about
the myths.

Apollo, one of the so-called deities, was a myth, and said to be the god
of music, medicine, and the fine arts, a great friend of mankind; and a
great favorite I was said to be of Apollo's.

Orion, another myth, and a most exquisite player of the lute, so
charmed the Dolphins with his