Structure and Oeconomy of Whales, 397 
and here there is more reticular, and lefs adipofe membrane. 
But in the Piked Whale there is probably one of the mod 
driking indances of an eladic cuticular contraction : for 
though the whole Ik in of the fore part of the neck and bread: of 
the animal, as far down as the middle of the belly, be extremely 
elaftic ; yet to render it dill more lo, it is ribbed longitudinally 
like a ribbed docking, which gives an increafed lateral eladi- 
city. Thefe ribs are, when contracted, about five-eighths of an 
inch broad, covered with the common lkin of the animal ; but in 
the hollow part of the rib, it is of a l'ofter texture, with a thinner 
cuticle. This part is poffefl'ed of the greated eladicity ; why 
it Ihould be lo eladic is difficult to fay, as it covers the 
thorax, which can never be increafed in fize ; yet there muff 
be fome peculiar circumdance in the oeconomy of the fpecies 
requiring this druCture, which we as yet know nothing of. 
The lkin is intended for various purpofes. It is the univer- 
fal covering given for the defence of all kinds of animals ; and 
that it might anfwer this purpofe well, it is the feat of one of 
the fenfes. 
Of the Mode of catching their Food . 
The mouths of animals are the fird parts to be confidered 
refpeCling nourilhment or food, and are fo much connected 
with every thing relative to it, as not only to give good hints 
whether the food is vegetable or animal, but alfo refpe&ing 
the particular kind of either, efpecially of animal food. The 
mouth not only receives the food,, but is the immediate indru- 
ment for catching it. As it is a compound indrument in many 
animals, having parts of various condru&ions belonging to it, 
I fhall at prefent confider it in this tribe no further than as 
connected 
