THE WHALE. 105 



they are from seven to nine feet in length, and four 

 or five in breadth. The part by which they are 

 attached to the body is somewhat elliptical, aud 

 about two feet in diameter; the side which strikes 

 the water is nearly flat. The articulation being 

 spherical, the fins are capable of motion in any 

 direction; but, from the tension of the flesh and skin 

 below, they can not be raised above the horizontal 

 position. Hence, the account given by some natu- 

 ralists, that the whale supports its young by its fin on 

 its back, must be erroneous. The fins after death are 

 always hard and stiff; but in the living animal, it is 

 presumed, from the nature of the internal structure, 

 that they are capable of considerable flexion. The 

 whale has no dorsal fin. The tail, comprising in a 

 single surface 80 or 100 square feet, is a formidable 

 instrument of motion and defence. Its length is 

 only five or six feet; but its width is from 18 to &4 

 or 26 feet. Its position is horizontal. In its form 

 it is flat and semilunar; indented in the middle; the 

 two lobes somewhat pointed, and turned a little 

 backward. Its motions are rapid and universal; 

 its strength immense. 



The eyes are situated in the sides of the head, 

 about a foot, obliquely, above and behind the angle 

 of the mouth. They are remarkably small, in pro- 

 portion to the bulk of the animal's body, being little 

 larger than those of an ox. The whale has no ex- 

 ternal ear; nor can any orifice for the admission of 

 sound be discovered until the skin is removed. 



Vol. HI. 14 



