142 LECTURE IV. 



drupedSj and in particular, since they produce and 

 nourish their young in the same manner, it fol- 

 lows very clearly that they can with propriety be 

 ranked in no other class of animals than the Lin- 

 naean Mammalia. 



In a general view, exclusive of their Fish-like 

 form, the Whales are distinguished by a particu- 

 larity not to be found in any of the rest of the 

 aquatic Mammalia. This is a double opening or 

 spout-hole, on the top of the front of the head, 

 through which they discharge at intervals, with 

 great violence, and to a great height, the water 

 which they have taken in at the mouth. 



Though the Whales, all together, constitute a 

 pretty numerous tribe, yet the genera, or par- 

 ticular divisions into which they have been distri- 

 buted are but few. Linnssus institutes for the 

 whole tribe only four distinct genera, viz. Balana^ 

 ThyseteVy Alonodon, and Delphbius. 



The first of these genera, or that of Baljena, 

 is distinguished by the total want of teeth; instead 

 of which the mouth is furnished, but in the upper 

 jaw only, yyith a vast number of very long and 

 broad, horny, flexible plates, disposed in regular 

 rows along each side. These are popularly known 



