204 



NINTH GENUS. BELUGA. 



The osteology of the cranium, described by Baron Cuvier, 

 supplies generic characters which distinguish this from the 

 neighbouring genera. It is these peculiarities which give 

 the shape to the head ; obtuse, conical, and rounded. It is 

 distinguished from the Globiceps by not having a dorsal 

 fin ; and from the Delphinapterus, by not having, as it has, 

 a prolonged snout, like a flattened beak. 



THE BELUGA, OR WHITE WHALE. 

 PLATE XV. 



Beluga, Bon. Beluga Borealis, Less Delphinapterus Beluga, 

 Laoep. Balaena Albicans, Lin. Delpliinus Albicans, Fab. 

 White Fish, of Whalers. 



THE general appearance of this very beautiful ani- 

 mal will be more readily perceived by an exami- 

 nation of the accompanying highly finished and 

 accurate Plate, than by any words which we can 

 use. The original, by Mr. Syme, was taken from 

 an individual which for nearly three months during 

 the summer of 1815 was observed to inhabit the 

 Frith of Forth, passing upwards almost every day 

 with the tide, and returning with the ebbing of the 

 waters. During this time it was generally known 

 under the name of the White Whale, and was sup- 

 posed frequently to be in pursuit of salmon. Many 

 fruitless attempts were made to secure it; but at 

 length it was killed by the salmon-fishers, by means 

 of spears and fire-arms. It was purchased by Mr. 

 Bald of Alloa, and transmitted by him to Professor 



