254 



FIFTEENTH GENUS. SOOSOO. 



The beak is long, slender, compressed at the side*, and ex- 

 panded at the extremity, so that it is larger at this part 

 than in the middle ; it is also somewhat curved at its ter- 

 mination. 



THE SOOSOO OP THE GANGES. 

 PLATE XXVIII. 



Soosoo Gangeticus, Lesson. Delphinus Gangeticus, Roa&urgk, 

 Lebeck, &c Platanista of Fr. Cuvier. 



OF all the beaked Dolphins, says Cuvier, the most 

 extraoroimary, and that perhaps which most merits 

 being formed into a distinct genus is the Soosoo of 

 the Ganges. 



This genus at present comprehends but one living 

 species, which is generally described under the name 

 of the Dolphin of the Ganges ; the name Soosoo is 

 that given it by the natives in Bengal. Cuvier 

 thinks it is probably the Platanista of Pliny. The 

 bony frame- work proves the peculiarities of this 

 genus more than any other portion of it, and on 

 this Cuvier dwells with his wonted acuteness. 

 (L. C. 279.) Of the manifest characters, the great 

 lateral compression of the lower jaw, which approxi- 

 mates the two rows of teeth, and the great length of 

 the symphysis, are the most remarkable. Accord- 



