Mr. ALpEerson on a Whale of the Spermaceti Tribe. 259 
folds, exactly similar to the lining membrane of the fourth stomach 
in sheep, in which the secretion of the gastric juice takes place. 
I traced the communication from this cavity forwards, to- 
wards the snout, first passing on the left side of the head, 
under the breathing tube; then crossing over to the right side 
of the head, and joining with the sac or sacs in which the 
spermaceti was found; here the lining membrane was altered 
in appearance; it was more that of a continued mucous surface. 
The breathing tube commenced at the posterior nares, on the 
left side of the head, and proceeded on this side to the snout, 
where it opened externally. Its length was 20 feet, 3 inches; 
its internal circumference, when cut open, measured 3 feet, 
1 inch, near to the external orifice; it, however, became much 
smaller at its entrance into the foramen allotted to it, leading 
to the posterior nares. Near to the external orifice, the tube 
made a turn outwards, so as to propel fluid perpendicularly to 
the way of the animal, unless acted on by some of the tendons 
before mentioned. It was single throughout its whole length, 
and was lined with a continuation of the epidermis, much 
thinner, however, than in the snout, and becoming still thinner, 
as well as losing its black color, as it preceeded to the posterior 
origin of the tube, where it is connected with the trachea. 
As the whole of this mass was torn from within the basin 
formed by the bones of the cranium, by the assistance of horses, 
this communication of the breathing tube and the trachea, could 
not be made out satisfactorily. 
I am not convinced that there was not a communication 
between the posterior nares, and the peculiar cavity before 
described ; in which cavity, it is probable, the secretion of the 
spermaceti takes place. 
I am not, however, disposed to make any further con- 
yectures on this point: dubia pro falsis adhibenda. 
Vol. Il. Part I. Lu 
