Merry Watson, aged 9, of Port Angeles, Wash,, for her question:

Do whales have fur or hair?

Not always has the whale been a sea‑going animal. Millions of years ago his ancestors lived on the dry land. They took to the sea in search of food, The whale is not rightfully a fish. So he has no scales to cover his hide. He is a warm blooded animal. And his problem is to keep his body at the right temperature in the deep ocean water.

Other sea‑going, warm‑blooded animals have the same problem. The seals and walruses keep themselves cozy with coats of thick fur or hair. Not so the whale„ He wears neither fur nor hair. In fact he does all his swimming in his bare skin. Sometimes a few bristles grow around his mouth. This is a reminder that his ancestors once had coats of fur or hair.

But the modern whale is smooth and shiny. It is wonderfully sleek and streamlined for ocean swimming. And he keeps himself warm with a coat of fat blubber. He wears layers and layers of fat. And he wears this warm blubber under his dark, streamlined skin.