THE STELLEH. (jtf 



numerous little pits, which the cuticular bulbs had 

 occupied. As these tubuli lie very closely together, 

 are tough, moist and tumid, when the skin is cut 

 horizontally they do not appear, but present a 

 smooth surface like the pared hoof of an animal; 

 if pieces be dried in the sun, they crack perpendicu- 

 larly and may be broken like bark, at which time, 

 this tubular structure, is perfectly obvious. Through 

 these tubes a mucous matter flows, especially upon 

 the sides, and about the head, and in smaller quan- 

 tities upon the back. When this beast lies upon 

 the shore for some hours, the back becomes dry, but 

 the head and sides remain moist. The use of this 

 singular cuticle appears to be, 1st. to preserve them 

 from being destroyed by being thrown against the 

 ice in winter, or the rocks at all times, and Silly, 

 that the vital heat may not be too much dissipated 

 in summer, by excessive transpiration, or altogether 

 extinguished by the cold of winter. They do not, 

 like other animals and fish, retreat to the depths of 

 the sea, but always expose half of their bodies to 

 the air, while feeding. 



The cuticle about the head, eyes, ears, and 

 raammsB, and under the arms, wherever it is knotty, 

 is attacked and infested by insects. It often hap- 

 pens that they perforate the cuticle and wound the 

 true skin, in which case, large and thick warts are 

 formed. 



The true skin is about the sixth of an inch thick, 

 is soft, white, very strong, and similar to the skin of 

 the whale. 



