EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OF FIN WHALES 



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The results shown in this table are much the same as those which appear in the 

 table for Blue whales. Apart from measurement No. 13 (anus to reproductive aperture) 

 there is no particular difference between the sexes. There appears to be no sexual 

 difference in respect of the relative sizes of the head and tail, for some of the measure- 

 ments are a shade bigger in one sex, while others are a shade smaller. 



The only difference between the Fin whales of South Georgia and South Africa lies 

 in the relative sizes of the head and tail, the head measurements being consistently 

 larger in South Georgian whales, and the tail measurements in South African whales, 

 except in the case of No. 24 (depth of tail at dorsal fin) which, as in Blue whales, is 

 slightly greater among the South Georgian whales. As has already been explained, 

 these differences in the relative sizes of the head and tail are simply due to the greater 

 average size of the whales at South Georgia. 



In the following tables the average value of each measurement is shown for Fin 

 whales at each metre of whale-length. 



9-2 



