20 AUGUST 1988, Page 24

The male whale

Sir: As a male whale has its testes packed safely away within its abdomen, it has no need of, and therefore does not possess, a scrotum. Peter Levi (Books, 6 August) should re-check just what it was that Aristotle Onassis had his bar stools co- vered with. We need to know.

David C. Taylor

International Zoo Veterinary Group, Hainsworth House, Damems Lane, Keighley, Yorkshire