THE SOOSOO OF THE HAXGES. 255 



ing to Cuvier, the long symphysis and the maxillary 

 crests approximate it to the Cachalots. 



The body of the Soosoo is rather long and slender, 

 thickest about the fore part, and thence tapering to 

 the tail. The head is obtuse, somewhat acumi- 

 nated at the upper and anterior part, and suddenly 

 tapering to a long and slender, but strong beak. 

 Both jaws are very strong, nearly equal, and almost 

 straight; their length is nearly one-sixth of the 

 whole animal. The pectorals are of an oblique fan- 

 shape, about a foot and a half long, and a foot broad 

 at the posterior margin, which is scalloped. Instead 

 of a dorsal fin, there is only a projecting angle, 

 somewhat nearer the tail than the snout. The tail 

 is two feet and a half broad, and festooned. The 

 colour is a shining pearly grey, xnth here and there 

 lighter coloured spots, particidarly when the animal 



is old. Teeth Ei^, 120. Those before are larger, 

 30 30' ^ ' 



sharper, more approximated, and somewhat curved ; 

 they become gradually smaller, shorter, and more 

 remote from each other, as they approach the throat ; 

 and they lock into those of the opposite jaw. The 

 eyes are exceedingly minute, about a line in dia- 

 meter, of a bright shining black colour, situated four 

 inches above the angle of the mouth, and sunk 

 deep in their small round orbits. The spiracle is 

 situated on the summit of the head ; it is linear, 

 and somewhat Hke the letter /, the length running 

 longitudinally along the body. The meatus andi- 

 torius is open and observable. There are seven cer- 



