144 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 



Dr. Fleming's specimen, it was little more than one-fifth. 

 An account of the one just mentioned, found near 

 Boston, was transmitted by the late Sir Joseph Banks, 

 P.R.S., to Count La Cdpede, though this gentleman has 

 with the most unaccountable carelessness, described it 

 as having been found in the seas which wash the coast 

 of Boston, in latitude 40°, a description which evidently 

 led to the supposition that the place was Boston in 

 America. Dr. Fleming's specimen was found on shore 

 at the entrance of the sound of Weesdale in Shetland, 

 in 1 808 ; it was only twelve feet long, and apparently 

 had not attained its full size. 



The narwhale is mentioned by the late Professor 

 Walker of Edinburgh as having been frequently seen 

 about the Shetland Isles, but he alludes to the common 

 species, the Monodon Monoceros, the only species then 

 known.* 



of a fin on the back, and a hard ridge near the tail. Black above from 

 the nose to the tail, softened with streaky spots towards the sides, which 

 are white, with a few spots. Belly white, fins black. The whole'animal 

 was covered with a black and white horny substance, like some kinds of 

 tortoiseshell, composed of lamina for an inch or more in depth. In the 

 stomach were found the horny beaks of cuttle-fish in great quantity. It 

 was shown in Cockspur Street for some time, and also at Cambridge. — 

 " Snwerby's British Miscellamj," vol. i. p. 18. 



I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. George Sowerby for the loan of 

 the original plate from which my Lithographic representation is taken. 



* Walker's Essays on Natural History and Rural Economy, p.. 527. 



