NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



whitish on the belly. Other specimens have been 

 described as black on the back and white beneath, 

 with a distinct Une of demarcation between the two 

 colours. It is hardly likely, however, that the 

 colouring should be so different in individuals of 

 the same species. The colour of the Port Elizabeth 

 specimen was very carefully noted when we were 

 cutting up the carcase. 



The curve of the two big teeth only made 

 it possible for our specimen to open its mouth 

 from 4I to 5 inches at the tip. The skin of the 

 beak on the upper part immediately under the 

 tips of the strap-like teeth did not show the 

 slightest sign of abrasion or thickening, indicating 

 clearly that the Whale, in life, only opened its 

 mouth as far as the teeth permitted. If the animal' 

 had previously been in the habit of opening the 

 mouth wider, and the teeth had subsequently 

 curved over the upper mandible and restricted 

 the extent of the gape, the constant tendency 

 would have been for the soft skin under the teeth 

 to have come daily in more or less violent contact 

 with the under part of the arch formed by the 

 teeth, and an abrasion, a callosity or dent would 

 have resulted. The width of the gullet was i^' to 

 2 inches in diameter, indicating the food con- 

 sisted of small-bodied creatures, or those with soft 

 bodies which could be torn in small morsels before 

 being swallowed. The small, conical, enamel ele- 

 vations which are present on the tips of the curved 



220 



