36 MAMMALIA. 



eyelaslies, are so mucli swollen by the oily grease which occupies 

 their interior, that they are almost incajDable of being moved. 



From the structure of this eye, Lacepede has concluded that 

 it is perfectly adapted for aquatic media. According to this 

 naturalist, Whales have an excellent eye-sight. 



We must add that this great Cetacean has the senses of smell 

 and hearing acute, so that it is warned from afar of the presence of 

 any odorous bodies, and that it hears at very great distances sounds 

 or even slight noises. 



The Whale has two anterior limbs, or flippers, of about three 

 metres in length and two metres in breadth. The body is dis- 

 tinguished from the head by being slightly depressed. To the 

 bodj^, properly so called, is applied the base of the tail, which is 

 conical, composed of vigorous muscles, and terminating in a large 

 horizontal fin. This fin, nearly triangular in form, is not less 

 than from six to seven metres in breadth. 



The tail fin of the Whale constitutes its most powerful instru- 

 ment of natation ; but we must not forget its arms, or flippers, 

 which, on account of their form and dimensions, can also play the 

 part of oars. 



The skin of the Whale is strong, more than two decimetres in 

 thickness, and is perforated with great pores ; but it is not covered 

 with hair, as is the case vdth. most of the Mammalia. The 

 epidermis which covers it is smooth, glossy, oHj, and so bright, 

 that the animal, when exposed to the rays of the sun, shines like 

 polished leather. 



The Whale is generally black in colour. It is sometimes, how- 

 ever, black tiaged with grey. The under part of the head and 

 belly are often white. 



After this glance at the exterior conformation of this huge 

 Cetacean, let us see what are its habits — its mode of. existence. 



We will speak first of its movements, taking as our guide the 

 interesting work j)ublished by Dr. Thiercelin, under the title, 

 Journal of a Wlialer* 



The Whale passes a part of its time at the surface of the water, 

 and the other part in the bosom of the ocean, at a depth from two 

 to three hundred fathoms. When it is preparing to leave those 

 depths, a broad sort of whirlpool shows itself on the surface of the 



* Journal d'un BaUinier, tome i. pp. 227 — 231. 



