471 



ORDER 



C E T E. 



WHALES, 



OR 



FISH-FORMED MAMMALIA. 



TThE Cetaceous Animals, or Whales, however 

 nearly approximated to Fishes by external form, 

 and residence in the waters, are in reality to be 

 considered as aquatic Mammaha; for though from 

 their general shape, and seeming want of feet, 

 they appear, at first view, widely removed from 

 that class, yet we find on examination that their 

 whole internal structure resembles that of other 

 ^Mammalia, and that their skeleton is formed on 

 the same plan ; differing only in the want of hind 

 legs, the peculiar structure of the tail supplying 

 that defect, being extremely strong and tendinous, 

 and slightly divided into two horizontal lobes, 

 but not furnished with internal bones. 



Their lungs, intestines, &c. are formed on the 

 same plan as in quadrupeds. They have also 

 warm blood, and, like other Mammalia, suckle 



