PLATANISTA. 251 
The dentition is also curious, the upper and lower jaws being provided 
with a number of teeth, pointed and conical in front, and smaller and 
more flattened behind. They vary in number. In an example quoted 
by Dr. Murie the total was 117, viz., 21 but in a specimen examined 
) rr . . 
by Dr. Anderson, who has most exhaustively described these animals, 
the total number of teeth amounted to 128, ie. Bas. (See Appendix 
o- = 9 
B, p. 525. 
The es vertebree are movable, and not ankylosed, as in many of 
the cetacea ; the czecum is small ; the blow-hole is a narrow slit, not trans- 
verse as in other whales, but longitudinal. I have somewhat gone out of 
order in Jerdon’s numbering in bringing in this genus here instead of 
letting it follow Delphinus, as he has done. These river Dolphins 
naturally come after the extinct Phocodontia or seal-toothed whales, and 
bear considerable resemblance in the dentition to the extinct genus 
Squalodon. 
No. 257. PLATANISTA GANGETICA. 
The Gangetic Porpoise ( Jerdon’s Nos. 144 and 145). 
NaTivE Names.—Soonse, Soosoo, Soosa, Hindi; Susak, Shishuk, 
Bengali; Szswmar, Sanscrit; Buchan or Sunsar, on the Indus; Azhoo, 
Stho, Assamese ; Huhh in Cachar and Sylhet. 
Hasitrat.—In the larger rivers connected with the Ganges nearly up 
to the hills ; also in the Brahmaputra and in the Indus, but in fresh 
water ; only it does not go out to sea. 
DEscRIPTION.—‘‘ A long compressed snout with a formidable array 
of teeth ; a vaulted compressed forehead; longitudinal blow-hole ; 
scarcely perceptible eye; distinct neck; broad and abruptly truncated 
pectoral fins, and small dorsal fin ; and the male, a smaller but heavier-- 
built animal than the female, with a shorter snout” (Anderson). The 
colour is from a dark lead to a sooty black ; according to Jerdon ‘“ when 
old with some lighter spots here and there ; shining pearl-grey when dry.” 
S1zeE.— From six to eight feet. 
This animal, though not often captured, at all events in the vicinity of 
Calcutta, is familiar to most people who have travelled on the larger 
Indian rivers. Itis common enough in the Hooghly. I have frequently 
observed it in the river abreast of the Fort whilst we were slowly driving 
down the Course. 
I am largely indebted to Dr. Anderson for information concerning it, 
for he has not only most carefully watched the habits of this curious ani- 
mal, but has most exhaustively described its anatomy in his ‘ Anatomical: 
and Zoological Researches.’ It is found in the Hooghly, chiefly in 
the cold weather,.migrating during the hot and rainy season ; at least so 
