58 



ZOOLOGY OF INDIA. 



the form of a fin. The rudiments of a pelvis are ob- 

 servable, and the caudal extremity is horizontally sloped, or 

 cut like the arch of a circle. The flesh of this animal is 

 held in great estimation, and is usually reserved for the 

 tables of the sultan and rajahs. Its own food is said to 

 consist of algffi, fuci, and other marine productions of the 

 vegetable kind. 



The Gangetic (io\phin{DdphinusGangcticus) is about seven 

 feet long. Its head is round, terminated by a slender elongated 

 muzzle, the jaws of which are armed with numerous teeth. 

 The tongue is thick, fleshy, heart-shaped. The eyes are small 

 and black. The skin is rugose, shining, of a pearly lustre 

 on the back, and of a whitish gray on the abdomen. This 

 , species inhabits the waters of the Ganges, and ascends that 

 river as far as it is navigable. It chiefly abounds, however, 

 in those numerous divided streams which form the delta of 

 Bengal. When in pursuit of fish, on which it feeds, it 

 moves with great velocity ; but at all other times its mo- 

 tions are described by Dr. Roxburgh as slow and heavy. 

 The blubber or fat of this species is highly valued by the 

 Hindoos as an external medicine of great efficacy in the 

 removal of various pains. Its habits are gregarious, and it 

 is known to the natives by the name of svusoii. 



