TILE SPINAL COLUMN OF QUADRUPEDS. 137 



appear to exist; althongh, from the consolidation 

 of several into one, some error may have arisen 

 in counting them. However, according to 

 Steller, Cuvier, and Meckel, in that singular 

 aquatic herbivorous animal, the lamantin, 

 (which feeds on sub-marine vegetation,) there 

 are only six.* 



When we regard the ponderous head of the 

 whale, its position with respect to the body, 

 and the resistance of the water which it has to 

 overcome, as the animal propels itself along, we 

 at once appreciate the reasons for the contrac- 

 tion and immobility of the cervical A'-ertebrse ; 

 these points are in keeping with the rest of the 

 organic structure. This characteristic abbre- 

 viation of the neck is seen in the remains of 

 that strange extinct animal the ichthyosaurus; 

 but in the plesiosaurus, on the contrary, the 

 neck is very long, equalling, if not exceeding, 

 the length of the rest of the body — most pro- 

 bably the animal swam about, with the neck 

 elevated, like that of a swan, above the 

 surface of the water, while the head was held 

 in readiness for being launched, with open jaws, 

 upon passing prey. 



• The lamantin and dugong are not of the whale tribe — they 



are really marine pachydermatous animals, though Cuvier calls 

 them herbivorous cetacea. 



F. o 



