i2 4 A BOOK OF WHALES 



is the prevailing opinion at present that there are 

 but two properly established forms, i.e., the Green- 

 land whale and the southern Right whale, Balczna 

 australis. But it may be that there are others. 

 Scoresby writes of " tribes " of whales inhabiting 

 different regions which are to be distinguished by 

 different proportions of head and trunk. " Those 

 inhabiting southern latitudes," he observes, " have 

 commonly long heads and bodies, compared with 

 their circumference, moderately thick blubber, and 

 long whalebone ; those of the mean fishing latitude, 

 that is, 78-79, have more commonly short, broad 

 heads, compared with the size of the body. In some 

 individuals the head is at least one-third of the whole 

 length of the body, but in others scarcely two- 

 sevenths." 



Inasmuch as whalebone whales, undoubtedly be- 

 longing to this genus Balana, occur in all the oceans 

 from north to south, from east to west, it is at least 

 possible that there are different races. But on the 

 other hand, the facts which have been gathered in 

 support of such a contention are not convincing. Cer- 

 tainly it does not appear justifiable to erect, as has 

 been done, a large number of distinct genera for 

 the inclusion of these Right whales. Thus the late 

 Dr. Gray allowed in his Catalogue besides Baltxna 

 Eubal&na, Hunterius, Caperea, and Macleayius. 

 Neobalcena, on the other hand, which will be dealt 

 with presently, is clearly entitled to generic rank. 



As to Macleayius, it appears to have been founded 

 " on a mistaken impression gathered from an im- 



