THE EIGHT WHALES: MOVEMENTS AND EEPEODUCT1ON. 25 



- cullamach (Chamisso) Cope. Its distribution is not well understood. Dull gives it as 

 occurring in the Arctic, Bering, and Okhotsk Seas, off Lower California, and, perhaps, in Japan. 1 



Scainmon writes that in former years they were found on the coast of Oregon, and occasion- 

 ally in large numbers; but their chief resort was upou what is termed the "Kodiak Ground," 

 which extends northwestward from Vancouver's Island to the Aleutian Islands, and westward to 

 the one hundredth and fiftieth meridian. They also abounded in the Okhotsk and Bering Seas, 

 and along the Kamschatka coast. He supposes that those which have been observed on the coast 

 of California were stragglers from the north. " Some, indeed," he writes, " have been taken (from 

 February to April) as far south as the Bay of San Sebastian Viscarrio, and about Cedros, or Cevros, 

 Island, both places being near the parallel of 29 north latitude; while on the northwestern coast 

 they are captured by the whalers from April to September inclusive." 2 



None appear to have been killed on the California coast, within thirty or forty years, if we may 

 judge from Captain Scamuion's failing to mention such instances. 



In the Antarctic Seas and the adjoining waters are other Right Whales. Eubalcvna australis, 

 the Cape Whale or Black Whale, abounds about the Cape of Good Hope, and is regarded by 

 .Murray as an inhabitant of the South Atlantic, South Pacific, and Indian Oceaus. 3 E. antipodarum 

 was described by Gray from New Zealand, and in Murray's map is designated as a more antarctic 

 form than the Cape Whale, though in the text of his book he denies that this is known to be a 

 fact. 4 Owing to the fact that the bowhead and the Eight Whales have until recently been con- 

 sidered identical, there is a dearth of reliable observations upon habits known to refer definitely 

 to these animals. 



MOVEMENTS. Their manner of feeding and general mode of life are, as might be expected, 

 very similar to those of the bowhead. 1 quote from Scammou : 



"They are often met with singly in their wanderings, at other times in pairs or triplets, and 

 scattered over the surface of the water as far as the eye can discern from the masthead. Toward 

 the last of the season they are seen in large numbers crowded together. The herds are called 

 ' gams,' and they are regarded by experienced whalemen as an indication that the whales will soon 

 leave the grounds. 



"Their manner of respiration is to blow seven to nine times at a 'rising,' then, 'turning flukes' 

 (elevating them six or eight feet out of the water), they go down and remain twelve or fifteen 

 minutes. It is remarked, however, since these whales have been so generally pursued, that their 

 action in this respect has somewhat changed. When frightened by the approach of a boat they 

 have a trick of hollowing the back, which causes the blubber to become slack, thus preventing the 

 harpoon from penetrating. Many whales have been missed, owing to the boat-steerer darting at 

 this portion of the body. Having been chased every successive season for years, these animals have 

 become very wild and difficult to get near to, especially in calm weather." 



EEPEODUCTION. The time of gestation is fixed by Scammou at about one year. Twins are 

 occasionally though rarely born. The time and place of calving is not.known, but are supposed to 

 be variable, as in the case of the sperm whale. These whales are said to resort to the California!! 

 "bays" to bring forth their young, and formerly were sought for in the inland waters of these 

 high southern latitudes, where many a ship lias in past years quickly completed her cargo by "bay 

 whaling." 5 



'BALL: Catalogue of the Cetaceaus of the North Pacific Ocean. <SCAMMON : Marine Mammalia, p. 305. 



"SCAMMON: op. <At., p. 67. 



:I MURRAY: Geographical Distribution of Mammals, p. '208, map. 



4 MURRAY: op. cit. 



5 SCAMMON: op. cit., p. 67. 



