of the Skeleton of Balcenoptera Rorqual . 219 



enormous animals. It may be presumed, however, that indi- 

 viduals of the larger species may have lived, according to the 

 estimation of Baron Cuvier made respecting the B. Rorqual 

 at Charing Cross, more than 1000 years. Should this be 

 any thing like correct, we need not feel surprised that the 

 genius of allegory should adopt the whale as the emblem of 

 duration. 



HISTORY OF THE BALiENOPTERA RORQUAL, 



Balaenoptera, from haUsna^ a whale, and pterouy a wing or fin. Rorqual, 

 in the Norwegian language, signifies a whale with furrows ; hence it is very 

 expressive of the distinguishing characteristics of this animal. 



The history of the species of whale, whose skeleton I shall 

 shortly proceed to describe, may not be uninteresting to the 

 reader. 



On the 4th of November, 1827, some fishermen of Ostend 

 discovered the dead body of a female whale floating in the 

 sea, between the coasts of England and Belgium. Not being 

 able to tow the enormous carcass themselves, the master of 

 the shallop Dolphin of Ostend, who had likewise discerned 

 it, employed the aid of his vessel and crew to move it, but 

 without success. They then called to their assistance two 

 other vessels, and by their united efforts surmounted the 

 difficulty, and were enabled to appear in sight of Ostend at 

 4 o'clock next day ; as soon as they entered the harbour, the 

 rope broke, and it was cast upon the eastern side. 



The appearance of a whale of such enormous dimensions 

 created a great sensation; inasmuch as those which had 

 formerly been stranded or captured on the coast of Flanders 

 were of much smaller dimensions, and none had appeared 

 during the present century. These, however, we will briefly 

 notice. 



In the year 1178, the magistrates of Bruges offered to 

 Count Philip a sea monster or whale, which had been 

 thrown, in consequence of a great tempest, on the coast of 

 Ostend. This animal measured 42 ft. in length. The form- 

 ation of the mouth and head is recorded as bearing a resem- 

 blance to the beak of an eagle and the figure of a sword. 



The chronicles of Flanders report, that, in the month of 

 November, 1402 or 1403, there were thrown eight whales 

 before the port of Ostend : the longest measured nearly 70 ft., 

 and produced nearly 24 tons of oil. On the 20th of January, 

 1762, there was discovered a dead whale, measuring 40 French 

 feet in circumference, on the ride between Blankenberg and 

 Ostend, nearer to the latter city. After having been exposed 

 to the public for five days, it was sold for the benefit of 



