396 Mr. Hunter’s Obfervations on the 
has more the appearance of one uniform fubdance. This 
uniformity of the adipofe membrane and fkin is moft ob- 
fervabie in the Whale, Seal, Hog, and the human fpecies ; 
and is not only vifible in the raw but in the dreffed hides ; for 
in dreffed fkins the external is much more compact in texture 
than the inner furface, and is in common very tough. 
In fome animals the cutis is extremely thick, and in feme 
parts much more fo than others : where very thick, it appears 
to be intended as a defence againd the violence of their own 
fpecies or other animals. In mod: quadrupeds it is mufcular, 
contracting by cold, and relaxing by heat. Many other Si- 
mulating fubdances make it contract ; but cold is probably 
that dimulus by which it was intended to be generally af- 
feCted. 
The fkin is extremely eladic in the greatefl number of qua- 
drupeds, and in its contracted date may be faid to be rather too 
fmall for the body ; by this eladicity it adapts itfelf to the 
changes which are condantly taking place in the parts, and it is 
from the want of it, that it becomes too large in fome old animals. 
In all animals it is more eladic in fome parts than others, efpe- 
cially in thofe where there is the greated motion. How far thefe 
variations take place in the Whale I do not exaClly know ; but 
a loofe eladic fkin in this tribe would appear to be improper as an 
univerfal covering, confidering the progrefiive motion of the ani- 
mal, and the medium in which it moves ; therefore it appears to 
be kept always on the dretch, by the adipofe membrane being 
loaded with fat, which does not allow the lkin to recede when cut. 
It is, however, more eladic at the fetting on of the eyelids, round 
the opening of the prepuce, the nipples, the fetting on of the 
fms, and under the jaw, to allow of motion in thofe parts ; 
and 
