THE ORDER CETACEA. 167 



with two short lateral bony teeth, which forms the prin- 

 cipal distinguishing characteristics of this species. The 

 upper jaw was sharp, let into the lower one by two 

 lateral impressions corresponding with the teeth. The 

 opening of the mouth measured one foot six inches. 

 Tongue smooth, vascular, and small. The throat 

 rough and also vascular ; beneath it were two diverging 

 furrows, terminating below the eyes ; which were small, 

 and placed six inches behind the mouth. Mr. Sowerby 

 observes, " We know of no whale with only two teeth 

 in the lower jaw, described by any author. Gmelin 

 mentions one with two teeth in the upper jaw, which 

 he calls Balcena Rostrata. Johnson has figured what 

 he calls Delphinus Famina with apparently two teeth 

 in the upper jaw, and impressions in the lower one.* 

 We cannot be mistaken as to the position of the head 

 in our figure, for the spiracle (which was lunated, the 

 ends pointing anteriorly) was sufficiently conspicuous 

 when it was reclined. We might have called it Physeter 

 Rostratus, with some propriety ; but this might have 

 created confusion. It is however a curious circumstance, 

 that such an appellation would suit better if it were de- 

 scribed with the wrong side upwards ; which will be easily 

 observed, if the plate be reversed : and the jaws, in this 

 case, very aptly resemble a bird's beak."f 



As Mr. Sowerby has been the first naturalist that 

 described this whale, I propose calling it " The Physeter 

 Biclens Sowe?*byi." 



* These appear to be the same as Schreber's figure, which is marked 

 " Delphinus bidens;" it is not unlike our animal, but if meant for the same 

 it is represented rather too short, with the head the wrong side upwards. 



t Sowerby's British Miscellany, p. 2. 



