PLATANISTA. 591 



Dimensions. Very variable ; adults usually 7 to 8 feet long, but 

 a specimen from the Jumna in the Allahabad Museum is said to 

 measure 12 feet. Females are larger than males. In a female 

 10 f C I g the anterior border o tn e pectoral fin measured 

 if S 1 /?" ex P anse of the tail 19. A large female skull measured 

 27-25 inches in basal length and 10-25 in greatest breadth ; a large 

 male skull 19-4 by 8-9. 



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Fig. 194. Platanista gangetica (Flower, Art. Mammalia ' Encyclopedia 

 Britannica '). 



Distribution. Indus, Granges, and Brahmaputra, with all their 

 larger tributaries, from the sea to the base of the mountains. 

 This dolphin is common in tidal waters, but never enters the sea. 



Habits. According to Anderson the Grangetic dolphin is not 

 gregarious, although several individuals may be seen about the same 

 part of the river. It keeps chiefly to the deeper channels and is 

 probably migratory to some extent, as none are seen in the Hoogly 

 near Calcutta during the hot season from March to June, though 

 many may be noticed in the cold months from October to March. 

 In the rains (June to October) this dolphin undoubtedly remains 

 in the tidal waters, for it is frequently captured, though it is seldom 

 observed. It rises to breathe like other dolphins, remaining but a 

 very short time at the surface. Sometimes in the cold months it 

 throws itself out of the water. 



This cetacean is quite blind ; sight would be useless in the thick 

 muddy waters of the Indus at all times of the year, and of the 

 Ganges and Brahmaputra at most seasons. Its food consists of 

 fish aud prawns, and amongst the former Anderson found the 

 remains of mud-haunting Siluroids. Doubtless these are captured 

 by the Platanista feeling for then on the mud with its snout. 



The period of gestation is said to be eight or nine months ; the 

 young, almost always one in number, very rarely two, are born 

 between April and July, and it is stated that the young dolphin at 

 times holds on by its mouth to the base of the mother's pectoral 

 fin. These details require confirmation. 



Platanista is captured by fishermen in parts of the country 

 either by nets or by harpooning. The flesh is eaten by particular 

 castes, and the oil is used for burning and other purposes. 



