234 SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



The species of fin whale inhabiting the Cape coastal 

 seas is still uncertain. 



Sub Order ODONTOCETI. 



Teeth always present, but no baleen ; breastbone in 

 several pieces and joined to several pairs of ribs. 



Family PHYSETERID.l^. 

 No actual teeth in upper jaw. Four genera. 



Genus PHYSETER. 



Large massive animals, with an enormous head. Upper 

 teeth rudimentary and of no practical use. 



Physeter macrocephalus. Sperm Whale or Cachelot. 



Head blunt and square in front (truncate). Colour 

 blackish with green reflections; below, greyish. Abdomen 

 and tail sometimes marked with white. The head con- 

 tains an oily substance known as spermaceti, hence the 

 popular name of this whale. Length, 55 to 60 feet. 



The Sperm Whale ranges throughout the oceans, 

 excepting the Polar Seas, bemg commonest m the 

 warmer climes. 



It feeds upon Cuttle and other Jelly-fish, besides scale- 

 fish of the Rock Cod type, &c. The young are born out 

 at sea. 



There are three other genera inhabiting the Cape seas: 

 Kogia {with, one species) , Z ipJiius (one species), Mesoplodoi 

 (two species). Of the latter, Layard's Beaked Whale 

 {M. layardi) was described from a specimen (the type) 

 obtained by Mr. Layard in the Cape. Colour, black 

 above and white below. Length 18 feet. 



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