82 



DESCRIPTION* &C. 



with teeth in one jaw only. In fact, this class of 

 mammalia appears to be in great obscurity. Few 

 naturalists have the means of examining many spe- 

 cies ; and, therefore, their writings are borrowed 

 mostly from old and imperfect descriptions. Even 

 the more common species of Delphinus, the Orca, 

 Phocaena* and Delphis, are by no means sufficient- 

 ly defined to admit of our deciding, that there are 

 not some very nearly allied species confounded with 

 them, — a consideration worth the attention of such 

 naturalists as may frequently have the means of 

 examination and comparison of the species. 



* How shall we account for the reversed form of the dorsal 

 fin of the porpesse, originally figured by Jago, and afterwards 

 copied into Borlas's History of Cornwall? Surely this must 

 be one of the innumerable errors handed down to us from the 

 infancy of science. 



