PIKt-HEADED MYSTICETE. 4<j3 



above a foot in length ; and in tin- lower jaw is a 

 cavity to receive them : the tongue is lur^c. tat, 

 wrinkled, and liver-coloured, and from this to- 

 Mard.s tin' throat lianas a Ionic skin like an opcr- 

 ciihun. Tlu* pectoral n'ln arc large, obovate- 

 oblong, entire on the posterior edge, but round- 

 crcnaUd on the anterior. The dorsal tin is of a 

 tatty-cartilaginous substance, and is siiuated on 

 the hind part of the back, above the vent, and is 

 nearly perpendicular. Behind the dorsal tin runs 

 a carina, or sharp edge, as far as the tail, which 

 is slightly divided into two somewhat pointed 

 lobes. Tim species lives principally on a small 

 species of Salmon, called the Salmo arcticus, as 

 well as on the .Ir^otKiuta arctica and the Jtnt/in- 

 dytcs Tubituius or Launcc. When in the act of 

 opening its mouth, it dilates the abdominal plaits 

 or furrows, which lie in pairs, and on account of 

 the colour of their internal surface, present, at 

 this juncture, a highly beautiful .spectacle ; the 

 fore part of the belly appearing as it elegantly 

 striped \vith red. This species blows less violently 

 than others; and is often observed stationary, as 

 it were, or as if sleeping on the surface, some- 

 times lying on one side, and sometime* striking 

 out of the water, and flapping itself with its fins, 

 as if to clear them from barnacles, &c. which 

 occasionally adhere to them. It is a very timid 

 animal, and ;ilways swims away from the Physeter 

 Microps or High- Finned Cachalot, which is its 

 great enemy. Its flesh and oil are used like 



