16 



THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 



The balcena mysticetus, or common Greenland whale* 

 is supposed to be the largest animal which has yet at- 

 tracted the attention of naturalists ; and some of the 

 ancients have recorded accounts of these creatures being 

 upwards of nine hundred feet long. When viewed from 

 a distance out of the sea, it appears like a dark, confused 

 mass, floating just above the surface of the water; 

 but, when seen under favourable circumstances, we 

 find that this species of 

 whale is the thickest a lit- 

 tle behind the fins, or swim- 

 ming paws, which are in the 

 middle, somewhat posterior 

 to the articulation or joint 

 of the upper and lower jaws, 

 whence it gradually tapers 

 in a conical form towards 

 the tail, as likewise a little 

 towards the anterior extre- 

 mity of the head. From 

 the neck to within about ten 

 or twelve feet from the tail 

 it is cylindrical; and beyond 

 this it assumes a quadran- 

 gular shape, the greatest 

 ridge being upwards, or on 

 the back, and running pos- 

 teriorly nearly across the 

 middle of the tail. 



genus have no gills, but, as already observed, respire by lungs, in a manner 

 similar to mankind. 



* Svnonymes. — LaBaleine Franche, Bonnaterre and LaCepede; Com- 

 mon Black Whale of Pennant and Shaw; Greenland Whale of commerce ; 



