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anno_salutis
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The miniature narwhal,
known as Dalton's narwhal,
was first discovered
in Charing Cross
by Gerald Dalton,
a tax collector
and natural science hobbyist.
In all ways they resemble
their larger analogues
except that their horn,
is composed of a fine crystalline
material.
Like their counterpart,
the horn is used to sense
changes in the atmosphere,
locate food,
and secure mates.
The narsmhal was discovered
somewhat by chance
when an eccentric
and indigent
friend of Dalton
repeatedly went ill
after drinking from a fountain
in Charing Cross.
When a kidney biopsy
was taken,
cavorting narsmhals
could be seen at play
in the renal hilum.
They are quite prolific
and exist in most
bodies of freshwater,
though in concentrations
lower than that found
in Charing Cross,
and generally in concentrations
insufficient to cause
the illness that led to their
discovery.
Their song is said to be
lamentably sad,
and there is a legend
amongst those biologists
who study narsmhals
that it can drive one mad,
though it is happily below the threshold
of unassisted human hearing.
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