THE ORDER CETACEA. 115 



therefore so contiguous to the top of the head, that they 

 frequently appear above the water, when the rorqual is 

 swimming on the surface. The pectoral fins are placed 

 at a short distance from the opening of the mouth, and 

 nearly at right angles with the lips when extended. The 

 dorsal fin is situated above the opening of the anus, and 

 is very small in proportion to the size of the animal. 

 The tail is divided into two lobes, with a convexity on 

 the posterior portion of each ; the inner margins of each 

 lobe unite directly in the middle, in a line with the ter- 

 mination of the spine. 



In its manner of blowing (i. e. respiration), swimming, 

 and general actions, as well as its appearance in the 

 water, it can hardly be distinguished from the B. gibbar 

 during life, but on examination after death, it is found 

 to be not only a much shorter animal, but possessing 

 a larger head and mouth; with a rounder jaw than 

 that animal. 



OBSERVATIONS OX THE ANATOMY OF THE SKELETON. 



Having given a brief outline of the zoological charac- 

 teristics of this whale, I now proceed to make some ob- 

 servations on the anatomy of the skeleton,* which, as I 

 have remarked above, is that of a female. 



In this skeleton there are several anomalies by which 

 it is rendered peculiar, when contrasted with the other 

 mammalia. There are but two distinct kinds of articula- 

 tion, viz. first, the hinge kind, as in the articulation of 

 the lower jaw with the head; and, secondly, the ball 

 and socket kind, forming the joint of the shoulder, on 

 the articulation of the arm-bone with the scapula, or 



* The reader may rely on the accuracy of the annexed plate, which was 

 taken from the skeleton under mvsuperintendance, bv an ingenious artist. 



I 2 



