1864. ] DR. J. E. GRAY ON BRITISH CETACEA. 233 
jaw, is a thick mass of elastic substance—the junk, which is formed 
of a dense cellular tissue, strengthened by numerous strong tendinous 
fibres, and permeated with very fine oil and spermaceti. 
“The mouth extends nearly the whole length of the head; both 
jaws, but especially the lower, are in front contracted to a very narrow 
point ; and when the mouth is closed, the lower jaw is received within 
a sort of cartilaginous lip or projection of the upper one—but prin- 
cipally in front ; for further back at the sides and towards the angles 
of the mouth both jaws are furnished with well-developed lips. In 
the lower jaw are forty-two large conical teeth; in the upper are no 
teeth, but depressions corresponding to and for the reception of the 
ends of the teeth in the lower jaw. Sometimes a few rudimentary 
teeth may be found in the upper jaw, never projecting beyond the 
gum, and upon which those in the lower jaw strike when the mouth 
is closed. The tongue is small, white; the throat capacious, very 
unlike the contracted gullet of the Right Whale. Mouth lined with 
a pearly-white membrane, continuous at the lip, which is bordered 
with the black external skin. Eyes small, with eyelids, the lower 
one most moveable, placed a little behind and above the angle of the 
gape, at the widest part of the head. Ears very small, without any 
external appendage, a short distance behind the eyes. The swim- 
ming-paws or fins are placed behind, not far from the angle of the 
mouth; they are not much used as organs of progression, but as 
giving direction and balancing the body in sinking suddenly, and oc- 
casionally in supporting their young.” 
The full-grown male of the largest size is about as follows :— 
entire length 84 feet ; depth of head 8 or 9 feet ; breadth 5 or 6 feet ; 
depth of body seldom exceeds 12 or 14 feet, so that the circumfer- 
ence rarely exceeds 36 feet; the fins about 6 feet long, and 3 feet 
broad ; the tail or flukes 12 or 14 feet wide. 
The atlas is distinct ; the rest of the cervical vertebre are anchy- 
losed into one piece (Cuy. Oss. Foss. v. 346, t. 24. f. 12,13). Ribs 
14/14. Vertebra 60 (see Cuv. Oss. Foss. J. c. t. 24. f. 15-18). 
Bladebone higher than wide, with a large coracoid (J. c. t. 24. f. 11). 
Humerus and cubitus anchylosed, short and thick (t. 24. f.14). Os 
hyoides very wide (Cuv. t. 25. f. 157). 
Skeleton of adult male 56 feet long, at Burton Constable (Turn- 
stall in Holderness, Yorkshire, 1825), was articulated by Mr. Wallis 
(see Beale, 73). The skeleton is 49 feet 7 inches long; cranium 
18 ft. Lin.; lower jaw 16 ft. 10in. Teeth 24/24. Ribs 10/10, 
nearly circular; the first with one, the second, third, fourth, fifth, 
sixth, seventh, and eighth with two articulating surfaces, each arti- 
culated to two vertebrae. Cervical vertebree 2—that is, atlas and 
another united; dorsal vertebree 10; lumbar and caudal 32: =44, 
Pelvis two flat bones; sternum of three bones; clavicles none; 
bladebone flat, without any spine; but with two projecting coracoid 
processes near the articulation ; bones of pectoral fins 4 ft. 4 in. long ; 
carpus of seven loose square bones; the phalanges five, the three 
middle ones each of four and the two outer each of three bones. The 
os hyoides 24 feet long (Beale). 
