Page:A description of Greenland.djvu/101

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of Greenland.
67

Bones are covered with Hair like Horſe-hair, chiefly thoſe that incloſe the Tongue. Some of them arc bent like a Scymitar, or Sable, The ſmalleſt are ranged the foremoſt in the Mouth, and the hindermoſt near the Throat; the broadeſt and largeſt are in the middle, ſome of them two Fathom long, by which we may judge of the vaſt Bigneſs of this Animal. On each Side there are commonly two hundred and fifty, in all five hundred Pieces. They are ſet in a broad Row, as in a Sheaf, one cloſe to the other, bent like a Creſcent or half Moon, broadeſt at the Root, which is of a tough and griſly Matter, of a whitiſh Colour, faſtned to the upper Part of the Jaws, near the Throat, and they grow ſmaller towards the End, which is pointed; they are alſo covered with Hair, that they may not hurt the Tongue. The undermoſt Jaw is commonly white, to which the Tongue is faſtened, incloſed in the Barders, or long Whale-Bones; it is very large, ſometimes about eighteen Feet, and ſometimes more, of a white Colour, with black Spots, of a ſoft, fat, and

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