196 Cetacea. MAMMALLV. Cetacea. 
stomach, neither is there any inter-communicating 
channel common to tlie tliree first cavities, by which 
the aforesaid function could be maintained. In the 
accompanying figure A represents the oesophagus, n, c, 
D, and E the four stomachal compartments, F the 
duodenum. The only approach to aify unusual exten- 
sion of the internal secreting membrane, is such as 
is gained by the presence of numerous rugee or foldings, 
which are more or less irregularly disposed throughout 
the entire compartments. Of the other circumstances 
in connection with the alimentary canal which call for 
particular attention, are those which refer to the great 
length of the intestinal tube, and to the presence or 
absence of a coecum. Most of the spouting whales 
Compound stomach of the White Whale (IJeUiga Catodon). 
have no coecum, but this appendage is present in 
the mysticete and in the piked whale. The chylo- 
poietic viscera exhibit several peculiarities of form 
which need not be dwelt upon ; but we may remark, 
in passing, the entire absence of any gall-bladder 
in the zoophagous species, whilst it is present in 
the herbivorous forms. The reproductive organs are 
largely developed, the mammte of the female being 
placed in the inguinal region in the true whales and 
dolphins, and in the pectoral region in the phytopha- 
gous manatees and dugongs. The cii'culatory system 
has already, in ])art, engaged our attention, but the 
contemplation of such a marvellous machinery in these 
bulky creatures deserves some furtlier comment. Tire 
amount of muscular pressure required to propel the life 
stream from the voluminous cavities of tlie heart of a 
rorqual is something well calculated to excite the 
a.stonishment of any one possessing the slightest ac- 
quaintance with the principles of hydraulic power. 
The main arterial trunk of the spermaceti whale has a 
circumferential measurement of at least three feet, “and 
Avhen,” says the illustrious John Hunter, “ we consider 
these as applied to the circulation, and figure to our- 
selves that probably ten or fifteen gallons of blood are 
thrown out at one stroke, and move with an immense 
velocity through a tube of a foot diameter, the whole 
idea fills the mind with wonder.” Generally speaking, 
the form of the heart is precisely similar to that of 
other mammals, but in the phytophagous dugong the 
apex of the heart is deeply cleft, so that the ventricles 
are partly detached from one another. In regard to 
the venous system, it should also be noted that its 
arrangements, in some parts, are even more plexiform 
than obtains in the arteries. This is particularly seen 
in the branches of the great anterior vena cava, and 
more especially in the veins which surround tlie spinal 
cord ; whilst another still more interesting peculiarity 
connected witli this system, is, that scarcely any of the 
veins are furnished with valves internally. 
All these conditions are admirably adapted to 
the suboceanic habits of the cetaceans, and 
taken in connection with other structures yet to 
be described, manifestly indicate evidences ot 
harmonious design. We allude here principally 
to the character of the dermal and subcutaneous 
investment of the body. This consists essen- 
tially of the same elements which enter into the 
composition of the hide of ordinary quadrupeds ; 
but nearly all trace of hares or bristles have 
disappeared in the zoophagous species, these 
structures being represented only in the embry- 
onic condition of dolphins and in adult whales, 
by a few bristles attached to the anterior part 
of the upper or lower jaws. In some species 
the cuticle is rather thin, but in others it 
attains a remarkable development, and we have 
observed it to be upwards of an inch in thick- 
ness in the great rorqual. In like manner the 
corium acquires remarkable density andstrength, 
passing gradually into a fatty tissue, which is 
commonly called the blubber, and which varies 
in quantity in different species, being in some 
found only a few inches tliick, and in others 
surrounding the muscles to the depth of a foot and 
a half or even two feet below the cuticular surface. 
The larger kinds of whale are capable of yielding 
upwards of twenty tons of oil, and as the oil is 
worth about £30 per ton, the “ whale fishery,” as 
it is erroneously termed, proves a very lucrative 
trade. Upwards of twenty thousand tons are annually 
brought to this country by British whalers, notwith- 
standing the Americans and other nations have vastly 
increased the competition of late years. “ In 1821,” 
says the late Professor Edward Forbes, “ the British 
whale fishery emjiloyed one hundred and fifty-nine 
ships, but the decline of the northern fisheries has 
reduced their number to the half. We ai'e compen- 
sated for this, however, in the energy and success with 
which our Australian colonies are joining in the busi- 
ness; and the rich source of blubbery wealth which 
the north once was, the south now promises to be. At 
present we are beaten in whaling by our American 
cousins; but the great advantages presented by the 
proximity of Avistralia and the Auckland Isles to the 
southern whaling grounds, are giving us a fresh start, of 
which -we will not be slow to avail ourselves. In 1841 
the American whaling fleet numbered no fewer than 
Fig 78. 
