216 



THE WHALEBONE WHALES OF THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC. 

 MEGAPTERA NODOSA (BONNATERRE). AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN. SIZE. 



It will be seen that the averages and maxima for the Norwegian specimens with 

 one exception are larger than for the Newfoundland ones. Standing by itself this 

 fact might be taken as an indication of specific distinctness. It will be remembered, 

 howevei', that in both Bal(BnopUra pliymliL^ and B. muscidus the same relation pre- 

 vailed, the Norwegian measurements exceeding the American. (See pp. 113 and 154.) 



That this should happen in all three cases arouses the suspicion that the Nor- 

 wegian measurements are taken differently and probably include the projection of 

 the lower jaw beyond the upper and the breadth of the flukes. A larger number 

 of specimens was included in every case, giving better opportunity for the introduc- 

 tion of one or two veiy large individuals, and thereby increasing the averages. In 

 the case of the Humpback, the number of specimens is too small to be satisfactory. 



An Iceland specimen, male, described by Hallas in 1868 (60, 176), was 43 

 feet, or 516 in. (Danish) long, from tip of upper jaw to notch of flukes. 



COLOR. 



Van Benedeu's description of the color of the Humpback is as follows (7, 113): 

 " The color of the animal is black ; undei- the mandible in front it is entirely white, 

 or mottled in the deej) layers (dans la profondeur^ ; between the ridges it is red- 

 dish. The caudal fin is black above, white below, surrounded by a black border ; 

 the margins are ordinarily scalloped. The pectoral fins are white on the two sides. 

 The posterior part of the bosse (dorsal fin) is pui-e white." 



This is far from being a satisfactory description, and is probably compiled 

 from various sources, and may include the Greenland Humpback, or KeporTcak. 



Cocks gives the color of several Norwegian Humpbacks obtained in 1884 

 (itf, 10 Sep.). His notes, condensed, are as follows: 



In three specimens the whole upper side of the body, both upper and lower 

 parts of the head, and underside of body toward the tail, black. Otherwise varied, 

 as follows : 



' The minimums were as follows : 

 Females. 

 Newfoundland 

 Finmark 

 Europe generally 

 ' Also I specimen of 47 ft., sex undetermined. 



Males. 



