ISO THE WHALE. 



teen diameter, the third section twenty-six feet in 

 length, by twelve and two feet diameter, will appear 

 (if calculated the same way with an allowance of 

 five tons for the fins and tail) to be of the pro- 

 digious weight of 114 tons! But as the last sec- 

 tion is somewhat more slender than the body to 

 which it is referred, this calculation may be a little 

 in excess. 



The largest animals of this species may, however, 

 I conceive, be safely stated at a hundred tons in 

 weight; and an ordinary full grown animal at se- 

 venty tons. 



The most useful and ennobling view of natural 

 history is, unquestionably, that which gives us the 

 most exalted conceptions of the wisdom, power, and 

 goodness of the Creator. And the branch of this 

 science, that is in the highest degree calculated to 

 assist us in tracing " the works of Nature up to 

 Nature's God/' is probably the physiology of ani- 

 mals. In every genus of animals we discover pe- 

 culiar marks of adaptation for their economy or 

 mode of life, and an endless variety of inimitable 

 contrivances for accomplishing this adaptation. 



The whale, which is a mammiferous animal, and 

 closely allied, in its anatomical structure to the 

 class of quadrupeds, affords, in the modification of 

 the parts and principles of land animals, for apply- 

 ing them to a tribe inhabiting the sea, a great num- 

 ber of those striking displays of wisdom and power, 

 the very contemplation of which is calculated to 



