in the Whale-bone Whale, 
85 
covering which readily separates as soon as putrefaction comes 
on ; under this is a strong compact membrane, and when that 
is removed there is a regular layer of muscular fibres ; these 
go over the whole of the embossed part, having their origin 
at the edge of the bone to which the membrane is attached, 
and terminating in the bone on the opposite side. This arrange- 
ment of muscular fibres, differs from that of the elephant, 
where the central part is tendinous. The muscular fibres 
have a membranous lining between them and the cavity of 
the tympanum. 
From this description of the membrana tympani, it is evi- 
dent that there is no connexion between it and the ossicula 
auditus, or small bones of the ear, which Mr. Hunter sup- 
posed to be the case in consequence of having found that it 
was so in the porpoise." He says, “ in the piked whale the 
“ membrana tympani is projecting, and returns back into the 
tf meatus externus for above an inch in length, is firm in tex- 
“ ture, with thick coats, is hollow on the inside, and its mouth 
“ communicating with the tympanum, one side being fixed to 
“ the malleus, similar to the tendinous process which goes from 
“ the inside of the membrana tympani in the others.” 
The fact is, that there is no connexion whatever between 
the membrana tympani and the malleus, as will be explained ; 
but as that circumstance forms the great peculiarity in the 
organ of this species of whale, I thought it right to quote what 
he had stated on this subject. 
Having pointed out that there is no direct connexion be- 
tween the membrana tympani and the ossicula auditus, as in 
* Observations on the Structure and CEconomy of Whales. Phil. Trans. Vol. 
LXXVII. p. 371-. 
