376 



ACCOUNT OF A BELUGA 



measuring in somewhat an oblique line, the distance 

 was 11 1 inches. 



In circumference, the specimen measured, near 

 the eyes and blow-holes, 4 feet 4 inches ; — a very 

 little in front of the fins, 7 feet 2 inches ; — almost 

 immediately behind the fins, at what appeared to 

 be the thickest part of the body, 8 feet 11 inches ; 

 — at the termination of the ridge on the back, 8 

 feet 10 inches ; — at the anus, 4 feet 4 inches ; and 

 at the root of the tail, 1 foot 7 inches. 



The colour of the whole animal was a cream 

 white ; this colour depending on a white rete mu- 

 cosum, in many places about half an inch thick, 

 and which is covered with a thin transparent cuti- 

 cle. 



Next to the muscles was a layer of blubber, in 

 general about three inches thick ; so that, between 

 the rete and fat, the animal is pretty well prepared 

 against the rigour of the Arctic Seas. 



There was no visible external ear ; ndr were we 

 successful in tracing any kind of meatus auditorius. 

 The eyes and the mouth were small in proportion 

 to the size of the animal. 



In the under jaw were six teeth on each side, 

 broad and blunt. In the upper jaw there were 

 nine on each side, but none immediately in front ; 

 the three backmost sharp, and without any to match 

 them in the lower jaw. 



The penis was not bony, but wholly composed of 

 soft substance. 



