ON THE WHALE FISHERY FROM SCOTLAND 77 



Of the whales killed at Ronas Voe last year, with the 

 exception of the Sperm Whale, the one with barnacles, and 

 a " Bottle-nose," all the rest were Rorquals (B. musculus}. 



Few people have any idea how destructive Finner 

 Whales are to herring. In one they found about ten barrels 

 of quite fresh herring, besides about ten barrels of semi- 

 digested herring. In another, killed just after taking its 

 last mouthful, were three barrels of freshly swallowed 

 herring. 



About July, I am told Finners cease to feed on herring, 

 and for a fortnight fall off in condition, they then live upon 

 Crustacea and soon become fatter than ever. 



The two stations at Ronas Voe ceased working at the 

 end of September the " Norrna Company" had 63 whales, 

 and the " Shetland Company" 6 1. Besides these stations 

 there will be next year, at the Brig of Collafirth, the 

 " Alexandra Station," and two new stations are going up 

 about Voe. 



The stations expect to begin work in April next, when 

 I hope to be in a position to obtain regular and accurate 

 returns, as well as photographs of the most interesting 

 specimens obtained. 



ON THE WHALE FISHERY FROM SCOTLAND, 

 WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGES 

 IN THAT INDUSTRY AND OF THE SPECIES 

 HUNTED. 



By THOMAS SOUTHWELL, F.Z.S., etc. 

 PLATE IV. 



THE year 1903 has witnessed the inauguration of a new 

 industry so far as the Scottish Islands are concerned, the 

 bounteous ocean has been made to yield yet one more 

 product to swell the harvest of the sea, and that apparently 

 a very important one. I refer to the Fin -whale fishery 

 established in the spring of last year at Ronas Voe on the 

 Mainland of Shetland. It is true the pursuit of these 



