218 Zoology and Comparative Anatomy 



bone, or, as Captain Scoresby calls them, fins. They are 

 suspended from the bones named by the seamen the crown- 

 bone, which forms the upper part of the mouth. Each of 

 these laminae is composed of a species of stiff hair or bristle 

 united longitudinally, and placed side by side. They are 

 connected together at their origin by a species of rabbet, 

 with a peculiar glutinous substance called gum, which is 

 white, fibrous, tender, and tasteless : it also cuts like cheese, 

 and bears some resemblance to the kernel of a cocoa-nut. The 

 laminae vary in number from 300 to 400 on each side, and 

 are of a bluish black colour. 



Milk of the Whale. — Dr. Jenner tasted the milk of the 

 whale; and, according to him, it resembles that of most 

 quadrupeds in appearance, and he was of opinion that it is 

 exceedingly nutritious, that it contained more cream, and is 

 rich and well flavoured. 



Velocity of the Whale, — Whales descend with immense 

 velocity, and frequently to the depth of 300 or 400 fathoms, 

 and that in the space of five or six minutes ; and are capable 

 of ascending in a similar manner, so as to appear as if dart- 

 ing out of the water. When they perform this feat, the whole 

 surface is thrown into the most violent agitation. 



Colour of the Whale. — This is generally of a bluish or 

 blackish grey, sometimes they are piebald; the aged ani- 

 mals contain the greatest quantity of greyish matter, mixed 

 with white, whilst the younger are of a bluish black, and 

 sucklings of a pale blue or bluish grey colour. 



Quantity of Blood in a WJiale. — Tlie quantity of blood 

 which circulates in the whale is much greater than that 

 which circulates in the vessels of quadrupeds. The diameter 

 of the aorta, or large artery arising from the heart, being 

 sometimes more than 13 in.; and the late Mr. John Hunter 

 estimated the quantity thrown into it, at every contraction of 

 the heart, to vary from 10 to 15 gallons, and that with 

 immense velocity. The heart of the whale is broad, flattened, 

 and larger in this animal, in proportion to its size, than in any 

 quadruped, as also are the blood-vessels. 



The Pectoral Fins. — The fins are placed on each side of 

 the chest, and contain bones similar to the anterior extremity 

 of the digitated animals, strongly enveloped in strong con- 

 densed adipose membrane of a semi-cartilaginous substance. 

 From the peculiarity of structure in the fin, they have re- 

 ceived the name of swimming paws from Dr. Fleming, which 

 term is now generally adopted. 



Longevity of the Whale. — There are no certain data, on 

 which we can form any accurate idea of the longevity of these 



