PLATE XV 



Fig. i. Transverse section, x 400, of corium of auditory meatus of 

 Balaenoptera physalus showing absence of ceruminous glands. EF, elastic 

 fibres; FT, fibrous tissue. 



Fig. 2. Transverse section through the 'blind' portion of the external 

 auditory meatus of Balaenoptera acutorostrata. WC, wax concretions; 

 L, lumen of meatus, x 80. 



Fig. 3. Transverse section, x 60, of outer covering of wax plug from 

 Balaenoptera physalus showing stratum corneum and lumen of meatus 

 (L) filled with compacted keratinized epithelium. KE, sinuous squamae 

 of keratinized epithelium. 



Fig. 4. Transverse section, x 20, of distal end of wax plug from 

 Balaenoptera physalus. Lumen of meatus (L) filled with compacted 

 keratinized epithelium. SC, stratum corneum. 



