THE WHALES. 29 



almost entirely composed of partially-digested cuttles, 

 their beaks being often found embedded in the mass. 

 There was for many years an utter ignorance of the 

 real origin of ambergris, but, as it has been taken from 

 the interior of the spermaceti whale, and the remains 

 of cuttle can be recognized in it, there is no longer any 

 doubt on the subject. 



We have now seen how this mammalian trespasser in 

 the water is able to support its existence in that 

 element ; we have seen the remarkable modification of 

 the blood-vessels, which enable it to aerate the blood, 

 and the mode by which the volume of that vast blood- 

 supply is preserved undiminished. We have now to 

 see how the whale, being a hot-blooded animal, is able 

 to pass its whole existence in water, which, especially 

 in the cold seas in which so many of them live, would 

 rob them of the heat which is so needful for them. 

 This point is very well put by Mr. Rymer Jones in 

 his " General Structure of the Animal Kingdom," a 

 book through which I had the pleasure of dissecting 

 my way : 



" The Cetacea form a very remarkable group of hot- 

 blooded Mammifers, as related to the external covering 

 of their bodies. No covering of hair or wool would 

 have been efficient in retaining the vital heat under the 

 circumstances in which these creatures live ; and, even 

 if such clothing could have been made available, it 

 would seriously have impeded their progress through 

 the water. 



" Another kind of blanket has, therefore, been 

 adopted. The cuticle is left perfectly smooth and 

 polished, without any vestige of hair upon its surface. 



