OF THE SPERM WHALE. 
•25 
rounded, and contracted above, considerably expanded 
on the sides, and gradually contracted below, so as in 
some degree to attain a resemblance to the cutwater of a 
ship. 
At the angle formed by the anterior and superior sur- 
faces on the left side, is placed the single blowing-hole, 
or nostril, which in the dead animal presents the ap- 
pearance of a slit or fissure, in form resembling an /, 
extending longitudinally, and about twelve inches in 
length. 
This nostril, however, is surrounded by several 
muscles, which in the living state are for the purpose of 
modifying its shape and dimensions, according to the 
necessities of respiration, similar to those which act upon 
the nostrils of land animals. 
In the right side of the nose, and upper surface of the 
head, is a large, almost triangular-shaped cavity, called 
by whalers the u case, 5J which is lined with a beautiful 
glistening membrane, and covered by a thick layer of mus- 
cular fibres and small tendons, running in various direc- 
tions, and finally united by common integuments. This 
cavity is for the purpose of secreting and containing an 
oily fluid, which, after death, concretes into a granulated 
substance of a yellowish colour, the spermaceti. The 
size of the case may be estimated, when it is stated that 
in a large whale it not unfrequently contains a ton, or 
more than ten large barrels of spermaceti ! 
Beneath the case and nostril, and projecting beyond 
the lower jaw, is a thick mass of elastic substance called 
the “junk: ,? it is formed of a dense cellular tissue, 
c 
