4 02 WHALES, SEALS, AND SEA-SERPENTS 



several curious characters — among others, a separation 

 of the cervical vertebrae, and consequent flexibility of 

 neck, which is found in no other Cetaceans. These 

 three genera constitute a separate family, the Platanis- 

 tidae. The first of these is Platanista gangetica, the 

 " Susu " of the Ganges ; it inhabits the Ganges and the 

 Indus, going far up both rivers, and grubbing in the 

 mud for food with its long snout. The next genus, 

 Inia, inhabits the Amazons ; its colour is in the main 

 pink, with many curious variations. It is said to be 

 dangerous to man, and the Sotalia, already alluded to, 

 is said to defend the swimmer against its attacks. The 

 last genus, Pontoporia, lives also in the rivers of South 

 America, especially the Amazons and the La Plate. 

 All of these fluviatile dolphins are rare in museums, 

 and the traveller should not neglect to take note of 

 their habits, and, when possible, to preserve their 

 remains. I am told that there is one, for instance, in 

 the rivers of Sarawak, which does not appear to be 

 known to naturalists. 



II. Seals. 



The seals, or Pinnipedia, constitute a suborder of 

 the great group Carnivora, and agree with the land 

 carnivores in the main characters of their dentition 

 and in many other anatomical points. Awkward upon 

 land, the seal's movements in the water are singularly 

 graceful. Swimming by means of its broad, webbed 

 feet (for, unlike the Cetacea, the tail is short and 

 degenerate), aided by sinuous movements of the whole 

 body, the creature glides rapidly along, with nothing 

 but the head exposed ; and every now and then it 

 stops to raise its little head and stare about with its 

 big eyes. 



