BELMULLET WHALING STATION. 135 
an inch in length, running longitudinally. On the palate of the first 
Sperm Whale there were two large dark blotches. That on the left 
was about 8 in. long, that on the right 11 in. 
(d) Tongue.—The tongue of Physeter affords a striking contrast 
to that of a Mystacocete. It is an exceedingly hard, strong structure 
of comparatively small size, and very nearly occludes the throat as the 
animal lies on the plane with the jaw gaping open. The tongue 
stands up from the jaw to a height of about 2 ft., and, as viewed 
from the front, presents a smooth, round wall, like the side of a 
section of wide tubing. The upper surface is wrinkled, and in front is 
produced into a small projection, which appears to correspond with the 
tip of the normal mammalian tongue. From its structure the tongue 
would appear to be of use in preventing the ingress of water during 
respiration, but in the dead animal, at any rate, this very fact of its 
nearly closing the throat: gives the impression that the organ would be a 
hindrance to the swallowing of large prey. That this cannot be the 
case, however, is apparent from the size of the cuttlefish which we 
found in the stomach of one specimen, as described in Section V. 
(e) Teeth—Teeth occur in both jaws. Only those of the lower 
jaw can, however, be of much practical value in the capture of food, 
as the upper-jaw teeth are of small size, and often nearly covered 
with soft tissue. The lower-jaw teeth are about twenty in number 
on each side, and are arranged in pairs, but the two teeth of each 
pair are not exactly opposite to one another. 
Actual numbers of teeth in the different Sperm Whales examined :— 
Number 15. . left side 21 right side 23 
35 16" Sades 2 19 * 19 
& 21 Z : a 20 plus 2 SG 21 plus 1 
Sane Ae LPS :. eer 
3 De. (ah: - 24 ae Riis 
Pa ee Ms 20 + 21 
The two most anterior teeth of each side project somewhat for- 
ward, but the majority of the teeth are nearly vertical, being some- 
what recurved in most cases and having a slight inclination outward. 
The acuteness of the point is very variable, but this may be merely due 
to differences in age of the animals. One tooth was seen which 
had been broken off, but the stump did not appear to be at all decayed. 
In the palate there is a hollow corresponding with each tooth of the 
lower jaw, into which the latter fits when the mouth is shut. 
The upper-jaw teeth are small, inclining backwards, and deeply 
embedded in soft tissue, but they do have some little use, as is 
demonstrated by the fact that in many cases they are much worn 
down by contact with the lower-jaw teeth. The most posterior of 
the latter are also very small, and of little use, occurring very far 
back. There were no teeth in the upper jaw of Nos. 16 and 26. 
Teeth in upper jaw— 
Nomberlhy <9. . ., .. leftiside 5 right side 7 
Pena MIR Ol, » oO » 0 
os 21 8 a5 7 
” 22 — 22 ps 
7? 25 > 7 27 7 
29 26 ”? 0 7 0 
