or DOLPHIN, in ichthyology, a genus belonging to the order of cetace; the characters of which are these: they have teeth in each jaw; and a fistula or pipe in the head. There are three species, viz. 1. The phocena, with a conical body, a broad back, and an obtuse snout. The colour of the back is a blackish blue, and the belly is white. The fistula, or pipe, through which they breathe and spout up the water, is betwixt the eyes; it has forty-five teeth in each jaw: it is found in the Baltic and different parts of the European ocean. The skin is smooth and soft. The external orifice of the fistula resembles the letter C: it has two strong pectoral fins, and a cartilaginous fin on the back. The tail is bifid. The penis of the male is not covered with a prepuce, it lies concealed within the body, but is easily protruded when occasion requires. In the female, the cervix of the vulva is about nine inches long, and situate betwixt the navel and anus. They copulate in the summer; bring forth one at a birth; they nourish their young with milk; and they live about thirty years. They live several days out of the water, provided they be not wounded. See Plate LXVIII. fig. 2. It is about four feet long, and two and a half thick.

2. The delphis, or dolphin of the ancients, is of an oblong cylindrical shape, and the snout is sharp and tapering; the teeth are subulated. It likewise frequents the European ocean. 3. The orca, or lesser whale of Ray, has the upper part of the snout waved, and broad serrated teeth. The inferior jaw is much longer than the superior one.

in astronomy, a constellation of the northern hemisphere. See ASTRONOMY.