1897.] The Florida Sea-Monster. 307 
might be a blow-hole; but Dr. Webb states, that it is a “ sulcus ” 
or pit about two feet long and six inches deep, apparently not 
connectedgwith the interior cavity and probably due to muti- 
lation. The specimen was doubtless floated ashore by the 
gases of decomposition accumulated in the interior cavity, 
indicating the absence of any free external opening to it, from 
which the gases could escape. 
Photographs made of the under side of the thicker part, 
when it was turned up by powerful tackle, show an irregular 
roughness on that side, extending well forward, but not to the 
end. This roughness may be due to abrasion, or it may show 
where the skull was attached. If the mass really came from 
the head of a sperm whale, it would seem that it must have 
projected farther forward beyond the upper jaw than does the 
nose of an ordinary sperm whale, and it would, apparently, 
have been much broader and blunter, or “ bottle-nosed.” It is 
possible, of course, that its form has changed considerably since 
death ; but in view of its wonderful toughness and firmness, 
no great change of the larger end, supposed to be the anterior 
or nose-end, is probable. All the pulling and hauling and 
turning of it partly over, by the aid of six horses and strong 
tackle, have not served to change its shape materially, or rather 
its elasticity serves to restore it to its former shape. Its tough- 
ness and elasticity remind one of the properties of thick vul- 
canized rubber. 
It is possible to imagine a sperm whale with an abnormally 
enlarged nose, due to disease or extreme old age, which, if de- 
tached, might resemble this mass externally at least. It seems 
hardly probable that another allied whale, with a big nose, 
remains to be discovered. Notwithstanding these difficulties, 
my present opinion, that it came from the head of a creature 
like a sperm whale in structure, is the only one that seems 
plausible from the facts now ascertained. 
