400 
Scientific Intellig ence , 
seems possessed of a strong vibratory power, and, when the 
nasal end of it is held close to the ear, the slightest touch on the 
other extremity is instantly perceived. The stethoscope of 
M. Lsennec rather diminishes than increases this interesting ef- 
fect* Whoever considers the dimensions, and exquisite mecha- 
nical aptitude of this dreadful weapon, more especially when 
sped with the almost electrical velocity of a fish 10 feet long, 
and nearly (by computation) half a ton in weight, will have little 
difficulty in conceiving the effect described by Mr Scoresby 
in Vol. IIL.p. 411. of this Journal. The rostrum there de- 
scribed could only have been 28 inches in length, or almost one- 
half less than that we are now describing ; yet the fish had 
driven it through the bow of a vessel, (the Kitty of Liverpool), 
where the thickness in timber and planks was 12 inches of sound 
oak, besides a sheath of copper. The violence of the shock, 
however, seems to have broken off the rostrum close to the os 
frontis. It is very thin there, not ^th of an inch ; and though 
Galileo has shewn that matter disposed as here in a hollow cy- 
lindrical form is stronger than when solid, this only obtains in 
the case of pressure exerted at a distance from the point of re- 
sistance ; for it must be proportionally weaker, in the event of a 
shock or oscillation, which, in the instance supposed, would un- 
doubtedly be tremendous. However, the rostrum described by 
Mr Scoresby was cylindrical ; that above described is flat, but 
sloping from a regular angle (of 141°) in its middle to a mode- 
rately blunt edge on either side. This bevelment is most re- 
markable on the upper surface, while the lower is marked by 
two corresponding lines, not sharp but rounded. A small su- 
ture may be observed on both surfaces, continued from the fron- 
tal bone to within six inches of the point, and dividing the ros- 
trum into two equal parts. It seems difficult to conjecture what 
cause can have seduced this animal so far from the seas which he 
usually inhabits, and to a coast where few varieties are to be met 
with, beyond the native tenants of the rivers and banks of Sol- 
way. The oldest inhabitants of the adjoining district do not 
recollect another instance ; and if we connect this with the nu- 
merous accounts of large fishes lately thrown ashore on the neigh- 
bouring coasts, and the almost unprecedented dry season which 
has just been terminated, it will appear not improbable that these 
