PLATAJflSTA ISM. J59 



of gunpowder in a wreck in the Hoogly. At Monghyr, a certain caste 

 occasionally catch them ; and many are stated to be killed in Dacca by a 

 peculiar tribe called Garwarus, who spear them and otters. They eat 

 the flesh and bum the oil, which is also used in rheumatism. 



A long account of this animal, with copious anatomical details by Erich- 

 son, and translated by Dr. Wallich, is to be found in the number of 

 the '' Annals and Magazine of Natural History," quoted above. He 

 considers it most nearly allied to Hyperoodon, with relations to the South 

 American genus Inia, also found in rivers. The very minute eye, with 

 the very small or almost rudimentary state of the optic nerves, show that 

 this dolphin must be considered to occupy among whales the same place as 

 the mole does among insectivora, and that it seeks its food in places 

 devoid of solar light, owing to the muddy state of the river. It is, how- 

 ever, occasionally found in moderately clear water in the higher parts of 

 the Ganges. 



The following species is pronounced by Blyth to be conspicuously dis- 

 tinct. 



145. Platanista Indi. 



Blyth, Cat. 285.— J. A. S. XXVIII. 493. 



The Porpoise of the Indus. 



Descr. — Larger and more robust than P. gangetica, and of a paler color ; 

 number of teeth the same, but twice as stout; the depth of the two jaws 

 with the teeth, about their middle, 3^ inches, whilst in P. gangetica it is 

 barely If inch. 



Length of one 7 feet ; skull 20;^ inches ; greatest width at the zygomata 

 9^ ; symphysis of lower jaw 11. 



There is a drawing of this porpoise among those of Sir A. Bumes, and 

 there is a skiill in the Museum Asiatic Society, Calcutta, presented by the 

 same gentleman, from the river Indus. 



Gen. Globicephalxis, Lesson. 



Char. — Head rounded in front ; paddles long, naiTow and pointed ; 

 teeth few in number, deciduous when old ; dorsal fin distinct : intermax- 

 illaries broad. 



