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VOYAGE OF THE ‘ ECLIPSE.’ 43 
Whalebone:—The total number of plates of sufficient size to be con- 
sidered marketable was 569; of these the largest measured 7 ft. 6 in. in 
length. ‘Towards the extremities of the series of plates attached to each 
side of the upper jaw the whalebone-plates diminish in length, as also does 
the width of the interspaces, the latter decreasing from ‘615 in. to *384 in. 
Having already shown that the number of the whalebone-plates does not 
vary with growth, but remains constant (Zool. 1887, p. 136), and having 
found the width of the interspaces, where greatest, in a full-grown Whale 
we killed last year to be ‘92 in., it is very evident that with growth and 
consequent increase in the length of the upper jaw the whalebone-plates 
become farther and farther apart. 
Palate-—From sections which I made I found the palate about the 
middle of the jaw, where narrowest, to be only 3 in. in breadth, convex, 
and flesh-coloured, with irregular bluish grey markings. Immediately 
external to the palate the whalebone-plates are found, at first in the form 
of hairs, but altering gradually to the large functional plates situated most 
externally. 
Hind Limbs.—These interesting rudiments I found could be most 
easily cut out by marking out a rectangular area of skin about three feet 
square, with the opening of the vulva included in its centre; by then 
cutting inwards at right angles to the surface, through the blubber, and 
through the muscles of the abdominal wall, the whole mass may be 
speedily removed, and the bones dissected out at leisure. 
Valves.—The presence of automatic valves closing the natural openings, 
and thereby preventing the ingress of water while under pressure, 
has long been known to exist in Mysticetus. On making sections of the 
external auditory meatus as it passed through the blubber, I found it provided 
with a valve in the form of a conical outgrowth of adipose tissue, the apex 
of which is directed outwards.* A somewhat similar but larger structure, 
attached to the opening of the vagina, evidently acted in the same way with 
regard to the opening of the throat, as also did another which on a 
previous occasion I examined, attached to the base of the tongue, but which 
probably represents the epiglottis. 
Feces.— According to the general opinion of whalemen, the fceces of the 
Greenland Whale is usually of a reddish colour, and this view was supported 
by what I observed, the colour while floating in the water being vermilion, 
and as it exuded from the vent chocolate-brown. Under the microscope, 
it is seen to consist in great part of crustacean remains, but what the 
_ Species is it is impossible to determine. 
May 27.—Lat. 77° 49’, long. 4° W. Water clear and blue in 
the morning ; temperature, 29°; but after working northwards 

* See ‘Journal of Anatomy and Physiology,’ a Xxiii. p. ae 
E 
