110 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 



it had a fringe of bristly fibres, and was stiffer, harder, 

 and more horny in its texture, than the same part in 

 the common Greenland whale. The quantity of oil pro- 

 duced from the blubber of this animal was only about 

 five tons, of very inferior quality, some of which was 

 extremely viscid and bad. The total value of the whole, 

 deducting all expenses of extracting the oil, &c, was 

 no more than 60/. sterling. It had the usual sulci or 

 furrows about the thorax or chest and dorsal fin. 



To return to this rorqual : Mons. Herman Kessels of 

 Ostend formed the idea of preserving so valuable an ac- 

 quisition in zoology and comparative anatomy within the 

 kingdom, instead of allowing it to be made a source of 

 mere pecuniary profit. The perseverance, philanthropy, 

 and enterprising spirit of this gentleman are well known. 

 During the inclement winter of 1827, he contributed to 

 the comforts, health, and happiness of thousands of the 

 indigent of Ostend, by daily distributing food, soup, and 

 warmth among them. To cover the great expenses of 

 this benevolent act, he addressed himself to the wealthy 

 of the town to further his beneficent design, which alone 

 procured him the blessings of all who had tasted of his 

 bounty. Mons. Kessels had scarcely formed the idea 

 of preparing the skeleton of this whale ere it was com- 

 menced; as he publicly purchased it for the sum of 

 6230 francs (about 259/. 1 Is. 8cL), jointly with Dr. 

 Dubar, an eminent physician of Ostend, on the 16th of 

 November, 1827. From the time the rorqual was 

 thrown into the harbour, considerable doubt was enter- 

 tained in the minds of many scientific naturalists as to 

 what species it belonged to ; some declaring it a cachalot, 

 others a gibbous whale, &c. &c. However, from its 

 possessing the longitudinal folds extending from the 

 throat towards the middle of the trunk, it was indicated 



