193 



Decomposition preventcd such a careful examination of the inte- 

 rior of the animal as might have been desired. The heart was 4 feet 

 m length, 3 feet at its greatest breadth. The vence cavce 4 inches 

 in diameter. The aorta 3^ inches thick. The liver resembled in 

 consistence that of the terrestrial Mammalia, and was of great size. 



Near the base of the tongue lay two large bodies of glandular ap- 

 pearance, much resembUng the salivary glands of quadrupeds, each 

 of which would have filled a bushel measure. The lungs did not 

 appear of great proportional size ; the bronchial tubes were lined 

 with black membrane. 



Near the vertebral column could be imperfectly traced the plexus 

 of arteries which forms the reservoir of blood during the prolonged 

 divings of the "VVhale. Much extravasated blood and hastening de- 

 composition interfered with a proper investigation of its course and 

 structure. 



The vertebral formula was as follows : — 



Cervical 7, Dorsal 15, Remains 40. Totai 62. 



Circumstances prevented me from distinguishing the lumbar from 

 the caudal vertebrse, but the nnmbers above given are absolutely 

 correct. 



The lašt vertebra was not larger than a walnut, and part of its 

 bulk was cartilage. Its articulation was, hovvever, very distinct. 



The lašt six vertebrse diminished in size very rapidly, much more 

 decrease taking place in their dimensions than proportionally in any 

 other part of the spine. 



There were fifteen pairs of ribs. The first pair simple, the second, 

 third and fourth with necks, directed tovpards, but not reaching, the 

 bodies of the vertebrse. The ręst simple. 



The greatest length of the cranium was 11 1^ feet. The greatest 

 length of the bone of the under jaw 1 lį feet. 



From the tip of the pectoral to the head of the hiimerus mea- 

 sured 6 feet 3 inches. 



The colour of the back of the head and of the sides to a line 

 passing from the tail beneath the pectoral, black. 



The jaws, and upper and under sides of both pectorals and tail, 

 also black. 



The black washed off at the sides into a brilliant white, of vi^hich 

 colour were all the other parts, except, as before mentioned, the 

 hollows of the plicce. 



Scattered irregularly over the back were greyish spots, from three 

 to four in a sąuare foot, much resembling the appearance that would 

 have been produced by touching the skin with a slightly whitened 

 finger. Their shortest diameter vyas transverse to the body of the 

 animal, and towards their anterior end they exhibited a nucleus whitcr 

 than their geueral hue. It mušt be noted, that these spots, though 

 sufficiently obvious under certain lights and on close inspection, were 

 not apparent at a little distance, and did not in the smallest degree 

 interfere with the general intense black of the upper parts. 



When viewed obliąuely, on the other hand, the whole dark por- 

 tion of the animal seemed a duU leadeu grey ; a deception arising. 



No. CCCXIII. — Proceedings of the Zoological Society. 



