delphinapterus

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A genus of delphinoid odontocete cetaceans, typical of the subfamily Delphinapterinæ, containing the beluga or white Whale (D. leucas). It is related to Monodon, and resembles the narwhal except in dentition. It has 32 to 40 teeth; 50 vertebræ; the cervical vertebræ being free; 11 ribs; short, broad, and rounded fins; a low ridge in place of a dorsal fin; the head rounded; and the snout very slightly projecting, if at all. The species attains a length of 12 feet, is white, and chiefly inhabits arctic seas. Beluga is a synonym.
2. n. A genus of dolphins (Delphininæ) which have no dorsal fin, as D. peroni: now called Leucorhamphus. See Delphinus, 1.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. white whale