THE SPERM WHALE 



109 



In 91-5 per cent of the whales white or Ught-coloured markings were present. 

 A white or hght grey marking of greater or lesser extent occurred in the umbilical region 

 in 78-2 per cent of whales examined. This took the form of a white splash, usually in- 

 cluding the umbilicus within its border, in 327 per cent. It was generally triangular in 

 shape with its apex directed forward (Plates III, fig. 3 ; VI, fig. i). In 67 per cent there 

 was present an umbilical whorl of light grey or whitish colour, composed of patches or 

 flecks of light pigment arranged in two lines meeting at or near the umbilicus, diverging 

 to embrace the genital aperture, and fading away into the background colour of the body 

 at the posterior border of it (Plate VI, fig. 2). When both the umbilical whorl and the 

 umbilical white splash were present, a combination which occurred in 21-4 per cent, the 

 angles of the base of the umbilical splash were continued into the limbs of the umbilical 

 whorl. 



The light grey flecking of the umbilical whorl sometimes extended in area so that the 

 flanks were covered to a greater or lesser extent with light grey flecks. This condition 

 was recorded in 24-3 per cent (Plate VI, figs. 2 and 3). The posterior part of the ventral 

 surface was similarly covered in 4-1 per cent. The area of light flecks extended on to 

 the flukes in 7 per cent and was always more pronounced on the under than the upper 



Table VI. Sperm whale. Males. I'ariation of measurements 



