THE ORDER CETACEA. 129 



the two smallest are the longest and strongest. The 

 first, or the index, has four phalanges ; the second, 

 seven ; the third, six ; and the fourth, five ; each having 

 a space for a nail. 



These bones or phalanges are independent of those 

 forming the metacarpus. All of them are separated 

 from each other by long tendinous ligaments, which are 

 very flexible. Thus we find great strength within a 

 small space in this limb, because it was there required : 

 thus illustrating the beauty of Providence, in accommo- 

 dating every part to the office it is designed to perform. 



The B. Rorqual, the subject of the preceding remarks, 

 was originally the property of the King of Holland, it 

 having been taken during the period he held the sove- 

 reignty of Belgium. However, in consequence of the 

 crown of that kingdom having been placed on the head 

 of his Majesty Leopold I. by the Belgic nation, the 

 proprietors, fearing that if they took the skeleton back 

 to the continent it would be claimed by both monarchs, 

 particularly as the King of Holland intended very pro- 

 perly to present it on its return to the University of 

 Ley den* — to avoid this, I understand the proprietors 

 have embarked with this stupendous skeleton for the 

 United States, where they intend to exhibit it. How- 

 ever, in point of equity, I consider it to be the pro- 

 perty of the Dutch monarch, he having only disposed of 

 it conditionally to Mr. Kessels, who was to return it to 

 him at the expiration of six years, which period termi- 

 nates in the course of the present year. 



* His Dutch Majesty should have recollected the old proverb, " a bird 

 in the hand is worth two in the bush," — and at once have presented thia 

 magnificent skeleton to the University. 



K 



