SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
79 
found to contain the usual bones of the forearm. A rudimentary hind limb 
projects about the middle of its body, representing pelvis and femur. The tail 
is an enormously powerful organ, and acting like the screw of a ship, propels it 
through the water. Dr. Woodward then pointed out the various bones of the 
skeleton, showing also the very large cavity in the head of the Spermaceti whale, 
from which the spermaceti of commerce is obtained, some specimens yielding 
about a ton. Frequently barnacles attach themselves to the skin of the whale, 
and in order to rid itself of these encumbrances it seeks fresh water, and by so 
doing occasionally gets into shallow water, and being unable to retreat, is stranded 
and captured. The food of the Spermaceti whale consists principally of cuttle- 
fish, specimens of some of the rarer kinds of which animals which have never 
been seen elsewhere have been found in their stomachs, showing the depths to 
which the whales descend for their food. The Spermaceti whale possesses well- 
developed teeth in the lower jaw, and in this respect differs from the whale-bone 
or Greenland whale, which has instead of teeth numerous plates of “ whalebone ” 
fixed to the palate, having a fringe of fibrous bristles, which act as a sieve to 
strain out the water, and retain the tiny molluscs on which the creature feeds. 
The whalebone from one of these animals has been estimated at the value of about 
£200. The Narwhal possesses a long spiral, tapering rod of ivory, sometimes 
attaining to the length of eight or ten feet, forming a sort of tusk, which is 
really an excessive growth of the canine tooth on the left side, the right one 
remaining undeveloped. Much other important information was given by Dr. 
Smith Woodward, after which a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded him 
for his very entertaining and instructive demonstration. 
FIELD CLUB RAMBLES. 
April 18. — Kew Gardens. Meet at the main entrance on the Green at 3 p.m. 
Guide, Prof. F. E. Hulme, F.S.A., F.L.S. 
April 25. — Northwood, Middlesex. Train leaves Baker Street (Met. Rly.) 
at 2.21 ; Swiss Cottage 2.29. Take return tickets to Northwood, which are 
issued from all stations on the District and Metropolitan Railways. Tea at 
Ye Olde Greene Manne, Batchworth Heath. Guide, Mr. f. E. Whiting. 
May 2. — Woldingham, Surrey. Ramble through the fields round Wolding- 
ham and Warlingham. Train leaves London Bridge (L.B.S.C.R.) 2.25 ; 
Victoria 2.30 (L.B.S.C.R). Take cheap return tickets to Woldingham. The 
times of these trains should be verified from the May time-tables. Passengers 
from London Bridge may have to change at East Croydon. Guide, Mr. M. Hunt. 
Notices for Railway Stations, Hotels, Inns, Cyclists’ Rests, 
See . — A card 10 in. by 8i in. (as given below) is now' ready for circulation, and 
the Secretary will be pleased to forward specimen on receipt of id. stamp for 
postage. To Branch Secretaries and others requiring a larger supply the price is 
is. 6d. for 25 copies, post paid. 
Don' t gather such quantities of Wild Flowers and Ferns that before the day 
is over you are obliged to throw them away on the road-side. By such gathering 
you injure the flora of the district, and you take away' pleasure from many people 
who like to see flowers and ferns growing in their native haunts. 
Don't disturb the Birds in their breeding season. 
Don't litter the places visited with Waste papers or torn letters. 
Don't leave empty bottles and other debris of your picnics to vulgarise the spots, 
the scenery of which you have been enjoying. 
Leaflets. — The Council wish to draw the attention of members to the 
undermentioned Leaflets, the circulation of which is desirable. 
The cruelty of Wearing “ Ospreys” — R. B. Litchfield. 
To Boys and Girls. 
A Plea for the British Butterfly — W. F. Kirby. 
