BEAKED WHALE IN THE MENAI STRAIT. 15 
its side on the waggon under a tent. Its great weight—said to 
have been five tons—was shown by the depth to which the wheels 
of the waggon had sunk in the ground. The under part of the 
body was exposed to view, and the two remarkable diverging 
furrows in the throat which are characteristic of the species were 
plainly shown. 
This whale is also known as the “'Two-toothed Whale,” the 
name Delphinus bidentatus having been given to it by Hunter, 
from its having two teeth in the extremity of the lower jaw. This 
title has, however, led to much confusion in the identification of 
this species, because these two teeth are permanently concealed 
by the gum, and only become apparent when that is removed. 
Hence the discrepancies which exist between descriptions from 
skeletons and from examples in the flesh. 
The specimen in question having been exhibited at Bangor 
until decomposition had become conspicuous, was taken back to 
Penmon, and placed upon the shore there. The quarrymen who 
captured it, after having removed the blubber, which produced 
about 1500 Ibs. of oil, dragged the carcase lower down the beach, 
thinking that the action of the water would clean the skeleton. 
There it was allowed to lie, and as its position was beyond low- 
water mark of any but low spring tides, Dr. Owen was for a long 
time unable to examine it. But on my directing his attention to 
the interest attaching to the two rudimentary teeth, he succeeded 
in obtaining possession of the lower jaw, which was exactly four 
feet in length. He was at first inclined to think that the teeth 
mentioned did not exist, but having cleared away the gum from 
his specimen he came upon the two teeth, which were near the 
point of the rostrum, and were as sharp as needles and as pointed. 
Until he had removed the whole of the gum with boiling water 
they were quite invisible. They were carefully preserved in silt, 
and not removed from their sockets. 
The statement made to Dr. Owen, that two or three other 
whales were in company with the female specimen killed, is 
interesting. As this is not a gregarious whale, her com- 
panions were probably a male and a young one. I am informed 
that a small whale was cast ashore at Carnarvon a few days 
afterwards, but | have been unable to obtain any particulars 
concerning it. 
