FRESH-WATER DOLPHINS 341 



The flesh and blubber are occasionally eaten, and " all along 

 the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus the oil is universally 

 considered as of great value as an embrocation in rheumatism 

 and for giving much strength when rubbed on the back and 

 loins " 



The oil is also used as an illuminant. 



Genus Inia. 



THE AMAZONIAN DOLPHIN OR BOUTU [Inia 



geoffrensis). Fig. 96. 



The Boutu of the Amazon, Inia geoffrensis , grows to a length 

 of 7 feet and, like the Gangetic Dolphin, is characterized by 

 its long slender beak which bears scattered bristly hairs. The 

 head behind the beak is rounded and, on its summit, is the 

 transversely placed blowhole. The dorsal fin is low and very 

 long at the base. The tail flukes are disproportionately large, 

 and the broad, cumbersome flippers have a convex lower 

 margin, more or less straight upper margin and oblique hinder 

 margin. The aperture of the eye is very small and that of 

 the ear rather conspicuous. 



The teeth, numbering about 30 on each side of upper and 

 lower jaws, are conical, with crowns roughened in a manner 

 reminiscent of the Rough-toothed Dolphin. The hinder 8 or 

 9 have a distinct internal heel. As in Platanisla, the two 

 halves of the lower jaw are fused together for a considerable 

 portion of their entire length. 



The body colour is blackish above and pink underneath, 

 but specimens completely flesh coloured are known to occur. 



The species is found in the Upper Amazon, and occurs 

 together with Solatia tueuxi and Sotalia pallida 1500 miles 

 from the open sea. It is entirely fluviatile in distribution. 



Bates in 'A Naturalist in the Amazons ' states that the 

 Boutos generally go in pairs, and in another publication says, 

 " I have seen them rear themselves entirely above the surface 

 of the water when the sexes are sporting in shoaly bays ". 

 " It is not killed willingly by the natives, who believe that 

 blindness would result from the use of its oil in lamps." 



