C 33 J 
III. An Account of some Peculiarities in the Structure of the Organ 
of Hearing in the Balcena Mysticetus of Linnaeus. By Everard 
Home, Esq. F. R. S. 
\ 
Read December 12, 1811. 
In the year 1 799, I laid before the Society some observations 
on the Structure of the Membrana Tympani, in consequence 
of having found that in the elephant that membrane has a 
muscular structure. 
In the elephant the membrana tympani has a greater breadth 
than in any other animal I have had an opportunity of exa- 
mining ; the structure of its different parts is therefore ren- 
dered more conspicuous, which enabled me to discover the 
muscular fibres. 
With a view to prosecute this inquiry, I have ever since that 
time been desirous of an opportunity of examining the mem- 
brana tympani in the balasna mysticetus, having no doubt of 
its being of such extent as to shew the structure to advantage ; 
and by the kind attention of Mr. Scoresby, Jun. of Whitby, I 
have now succeeded : that gentleman in his last voyage in the 
Greenland whale fishery, procured for me the cranium of a 
cub of the balasna mysticetus whose extreme length was from 
sixteen to seventeen feet, and its circumference from twelve 
to thirteen feet. This cranium was put into a cask of salt 
water, and arrived in London in good condition, the different 
parts of the organ of hearing being in a state fitted for dis- 
section. 
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