456 ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 



zontal. In its form it is flat and semi-lunar ; in- 

 dented in the middle ; the two lobes somewhat point- 

 ed, and turned a Kttle backward. Its motions are 

 rapid and universal ; its strength immense. 



The eyes are situated in the sides of the head, 

 about a foot obliquely above and behind the angle 

 of the mouth. They are remarkably small in pro- 

 portion to the bulk of the animal's body, being 

 little larger than those of an ox. The whale has no 

 external ear ; nor can any orifice for the admission 

 of sound be discovered until the skin is removed. 



On the most elevated part of the head, about 16 

 feet from the anterior extremity of the jaw, are si- 

 tuated the blow-holes, or spiracles ; consisting of 

 two longitudinal apertures 6 or 8 inches in length. 

 These are the proper nostrils of the whale. A moist 

 vapour, mixed with mucous, is discharged from them, 

 when the animal breathes ; but no water accompa- 

 nies it, unless an expiration of the breath be made 

 under the surface. 



The mouth, in place of teeth, contains two exten- 

 sive rows of " fins," or whalebone, which are sus- 

 pended from the sides of the crown-bone. These 

 series of fins are generally curved longitudinally, 

 although they are sometimes straight, and give an 

 arched form to the roof of the mouth. They are 

 covered immediately by the lips attached to the 

 lower jaw, and enclose the tongue between their 

 lower extremities. Each series, or " side of bone," 



