471 



ORDER 



CETE. 



WHALES, 



OR 



FISH-FORMED MAMMALIA. 



HE Cetaceous Animals, or Whales, however 

 nearly approximated to Fishes by external form, 

 and residence in the waters, are in reality to be 

 considered as aquatic Mammalia; for though from 

 their general shape, and seeming want of feet, 

 they appear, at first view, widely removed from 

 that class, yet we find on examination that their 

 whole internal structure resembles that of other 

 Mammalia, and that their skeleton is formed on 

 the same plan ; differing only in the want of hind 

 the peculiar structure of the tail supplying 

 that defect, being extremely strong and tendinous, 

 and slightly divided into two horizontal lobes, 

 but not furnished \sith internal bones. 



Their lungs, intestines, &c. are formed on the 

 same plan as in quadrupeds. They have also 

 Mann blood, and, like other Mammalia, suckle 



