86 



BAL.^NID.i;. 



dcntly came from the same animal, very like the former, and must 

 belong to this or a very nearly allied species. They chiefly differ from 

 the ear-bones of B. Mj/sticetus, above described, in the whole surface 

 being- smooth, with only a little rugosity on the dorsal prominence 

 on the inner edge, and in the angle of the outer upper and lower 

 hinder edges being sharper and more marked ; the outer hinder angle 

 of the dorsal sui'face is also more concave. I propose to regard it 

 for the present as a variety, B. M. angidata (fig. 5). These bones 

 are said to have been found in the Orkneys ; but I have not much 

 confidence in the accuracy of this habitat, as they were by some means 

 confounded with the ear-bones of Physalus Duc/mdii which were sent 

 from Orkney by Mr. Heddle. 



Fio'. .5. 



'■'^^ 





Tympanic bones of Balcena Bli/sticetus, var. angulata. 



In the British Museum there are two tympanic bones, which differ 

 from all the above in the hinder end being flattened above, bevelled 

 ofl", narrow, and rounded on the edge ; but they are so imperfect that 

 I do not think I am justified in noticing them more particularly, 

 though I beheve they indicate another species of Balcena. They 

 are both without any locality, and were purchased of dealers, one 

 along with the ear-bone of the Greenland B. Mystlcetus. 



Mr. Scoresby, jun., gives the best description of this whale, in 

 the Mem. Wern. Soc. i. 578. 1. 12 :— 



" The full-grown whale is fi-om 50 to 65 feet in length, and from 

 30 to 40 feet in circumference just before the fins. It is thickest a 

 little behind the fins, and from thence gradually tapers towards the 

 taU. It is cylindiical from the neck until near about the junction of 

 the tail and body, where it becomes ridged. The head has a tri- 

 angular shape. The bones of the head are very porous and full of a 

 fine kind of oil. When the oil is drained out, the bone is so light as 

 to swim in water. The jaw-bones are from 20 to 25 feet in length, 

 curved ; they give the shape to the under part of the head, which 

 is almost perfectly flat, and is about 20 feet in length by 12 feet in 



