. Natural history of birds, fish, insects, and reptiles . ^cu- Sia l^ Sptrtnacffi H7ia/f . t)T BIRDS, FISH, &C. 3()7 THE WHALE. THE characters of this genus are, a hornyplate on the hpper jaw, instead of teeth ; anda double fistula or pipe for throwing out species are four, viz: 1. The Mi/sticetus, or common whale,which has many turnings and windings in itsnostrils, and has no fin on the back. This isthe largest of all animals; it is even at presentsometimes found in the northern seas ninetyfeet in length; but formerly they were takenof a much greater size, when the
. Natural history of birds, fish, insects, and reptiles . ^cu- Sia l^ Sptrtnacffi H7ia/f . t)T BIRDS, FISH, &C. 3()7 THE WHALE. THE characters of this genus are, a hornyplate on the hpper jaw, instead of teeth ; anda double fistula or pipe for throwing out species are four, viz: 1. The Mi/sticetus, or common whale,which has many turnings and windings in itsnostrils, and has no fin on the back. This isthe largest of all animals; it is even at presentsometimes found in the northern seas ninetyfeet in length; but formerly they were takenof a much greater size, when the captureswere less frequent, and the fish had time togrow. Such is their bulk within the arcticcircle; but in those of the torrid zone, wherethey are unmolested, whales arestiliseenahundredand sixty feet long. The head is very much dis-proportioncd to the size of the body, being onethird the size of the fish; the under lip is muchR r 2 broader J03 NATURAL HISTORY broader than the upper. The torigue is com-posed of a soft spungy fat, capable of yieldingJive or six barrels of oil.
Size: 2656px × 941px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksu, booksubjectentomology, booksubjectfishes
