MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY". 203 



The skeleton of the right whale in the Museum of Comparative Z >- 

 o'ogy was taken here. The specimen yielded eighty barrels of oil, 

 and the hone that was taken from its mouth was sold for $ 1,000." 



20. [Agaphelus gibbosus (Erxl.) Cope.] " Scragg Whale. 

 Rare. A species of whale known by this name, nearly allied to 

 it' not identical with the right whale, is sometimes taken here. It 

 is the opinion of many of our whalemen that they are not a distinct 

 species, hut the young right whale that lost its mother while very 

 young and grew up without parental care, which, has caused a slight 

 modification. The most prominent feature is that in its dorsal ridge, 

 near the tail, there arc a number of small projections or bunches, 

 having some resemblance to the teeth of a saw. It has no dorsal fin 

 or hump on its back." 



21. [Megaptera osphyia Cope, or another Megaptera.*] 

 " Humpback Whale. This species is common on our coast, and 

 sometimes comes into Provincetown harbor, where it is attacked and 

 killed by our whalemen. They yield but a small quantity of oil com- 

 pared with the yield of the right whale, the usual quantity being from 

 ten to fifteen barrels. The bone in its mouth, unlike that of the right 

 whale, is of little value and not considered worth saving. When 

 harpooned it will run with great swiftness, and continues to do so 

 while it is being killed. Its affection for its young seems stronger than 

 that of any other species, as the mother will expose her own life in 

 defence of her offspring. ' 



22. Eschrichtius robnstus Lilj. Professor Cope informs me 

 that he has found a jaw of this species on the New Jersey coast; it 

 should in all probability be enumerated in the present list. 



23. [Sibbaldius tectirostris Cope, and probably another spe- 

 cies.] " Finback Whale. Frequent. 



" This species is the most common large whale found along our coast, 

 and is frequently seen at all times in the year. They are not har- 



* Professor Cope believes that under the name of " Humpback," of Captain Atwood's 

 list, more than one species may be embraced ; and also more than one under the species 

 called "Scragg Whale." 



