CETACEA. ; 7 
‘merous separate narrow strips of whalebone, each ending in a 
pencil of hairs, which vary in size from that of small twine to that 
of tape, half an inch wide; these are placed behind the others, 
and gradually increase in size from the innermost to the bread 
- external series. 
The baleen or whalebone affords good characters for the sepa- 
ration of this family into sections. 
Mr. Knox (Cat. Prep. Whale) gives the best account of the 
development, position and distinction between the baleen of the 
_ Whales of the North Sea which has come under my observation, 
and it agrees with the observations I had made on thé subject 
before I could procure his pamphlet. 
In Balena maximus, Knox (Physalus antiquorum), 314 ex- 
ternal or labial plates (baleen) were counted on each side ; towards 
each extremity these plates degenerate into bristles, and admit of 
being counted with difficulty. Towards the mesial line the baleen 
__ as a mass diminishes gradually in depth, giving the whole palatine 
surface an elegant arched form. The 314 external or labial plates 
do not extend to the whole extent in a transverse direction, but a 
system of numerous small and narrow plates succeeds the exter- 
nal ones. For each external plate, twelve (internal) smaller ones 
could be easily counted ; so that the number of plates which could 
be counted, and not including the bristly termimations towards 
the snout, pharynx, and mesial line, stand thus : external or labial 
plates, 314 ; internal small plates, corresponding to each external 
one, 12: total number of baleen plates,3768. The longest plate 
of baleen is placed about the centre of each of the sides, and 
measured 26 inches in length and 15 in breadth. The substance 
when recent is highly elastic and very heavy; the whole weighed 
nearly two tons. 
It is short or iong according to the species of whale, being 
modified entirely by the more or less arched form of the upper 
jaw. Mr. F. Knox first poimted out this curious and important 
fact. The usual conclusion come to by all persons was, that the 
size of the whale corresponded to the length of the bone or ba- 
leen. Now this is only good with regard to one species of whale, 
and not at all to the whole group of Whalebone Whales.—Knoz, 
Cat. Prep. Whale, 8. 
In Balena minimus, Knox (Balenoptera rostrata), 307 external 
or labial (baleen) plates can be counted on each side; towards 
_ each extremity these plates degenerate into fine bristles, which 
were not counted. The plates hang perfectly parallel with each 
other, and from their closeness and fringed lingual aspect, must 
act as a very perfect filter in collecting the mimute molluscous 
animals, and at the same time enable the whale to eject the 
water. The food of the Whale is still a much-disputed point. 
