440 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



other Cetacea ; nor is it symmetrical, but di- 

 rected towards the left side, and terminated on 

 this side on the front of the muzzle. The left 

 eye is said to be much smaller than the other, 

 and fishermen consequently attack the animal 

 on this side. This species abounds in many 

 seas, if it be true that it furnishes all the 

 spermaceti and ambergris of commerce, for 

 these substances are derived both from north 

 and south. The Cachalots without fins are 

 taken as far as the Adriatic. 



The Physeters (Lacep.) 



Are only Cachalots with a dorsal fin. Two species 

 are only distinguished among them, Microps and 

 Tursio, or Mular, and that only by the equivocal 

 character of arched or straight teeth, sharp or obtuse. 

 They are found in the Mediterranean as well as 

 in the Icy Sea. Those of the last are said to be 

 cruel enemies to the Seals. 



The Whales (Baljsna, L.) 



Are equal in size to the Cachalots, and also in 

 the proportional magnitude of the head, though this 

 is not so much inflated in front ; but they have no 

 teeth. Their upper jaw is much after the form of a 

 keel, has both its sides furnished with thin trans- 

 verse laminae called whalebones, formed of a sort of 

 fibrous horn, slender at their edges, and which serve 

 to retain the little animals, on which these enormous 



