CETACEANS. 169 



beneath the spiracle, and the interior canal; and as 

 this valve contains in its centre a layer of muscular 

 fibres, it is more than probable that its function is 

 voluntary. 



I could not detect any trace of rudimental teats in 

 this male foetus. The thin and compact blubber which 

 invested its body, as well as the other fatty structures, 

 yielded both oil and spermaceti on the application of 

 heat. The mother Cachalot was of the ordinary adult 

 female size, and produced twenty barrels of oil. 



Some departures from the natural condition are 

 occasionally noticed in the structure of the Cachalot, as 

 an abridged or distorted lower jaw, or the absence of one 

 or both of the pectoral fins ; although this last defect 

 has not been observed to occasion any material im- 

 pediment to the animaFs progress through the water. 

 The flukes and paddles are often found perforated by 

 circular holes, which are unaccountable in their origin ; 

 since they bear no appearance of being the result of 

 either violence or disease. A few individuals are met 

 with in a lean and enfeebled state, and expressing by 

 their actions a want of buoyancy, especially in the 

 head. When such whales are captured their blubber 

 proves to be indurated or fibrous, and peculiarly de- 

 ficient in oil. Ulcerous cavities in the mouth, and on 

 the skin of this species, are not unfrequent. 



The parasitic animals, which chiefly infest the skin 

 of the Sperm Whale, are small whale-lice; (Larunda 

 ceti;) that elegant species of barnacle, the Otion Cuvieri, 

 which usually adheres in clusters to the integuments 

 around the jaws ; and some species of Gymnolcpas; but 

 none of these are numerous ; and it is rarely that all of 

 them are to be noticed on the same whale. 



The blubber of the body has frequently a measly 



