THE WHALEBONE WHALES OF THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC. 



275 



The averages of these several percentages, compared with tliose of the three 

 Suook's Ann, Newfouiidhind, Humpbacks which I measured, are as follows: 



MEQAPTERA VEBSABILIS AND M. XOnns!.!. NOKTH PAril'ir WD NEWFOUNDLAND. 



Measurement. 



Snout to eye 



" " blowholes 

 " " pectorals. 

 Length of pectorals 

 Breadth " " . 

 Height of dorsal fin 

 Breadth of flukes . . 



The agreement exhibited is quite close, except as regards the distance fi'oni 

 the tip of the snout to the eye, and the breadth of the flukes. The reason for 

 the discrepancy in the former measurement is not clear, as the photogi-aphs at 

 command do not show any noticeable difference in the position of the eye. Though 

 there is no doubt considerable variation in the actual breadth of the flukes, all 

 measurements of this [tart both in the present and the Finbacks vary more than 

 could be expected. There appears to be some difficulty in measuring the flukes 

 accurately, or else different observers use different methods of measurement. 



The photograi)hs of the Ilumpltack taken in Henderson Bay, Puget Sound, 

 Washington, Sejitember 5, 1896, reproduced in plate 41, figs. 1-4, confirm many of 

 the characters given by ScamnK)n, and afford others showing that the species bears 

 the strongest possible reseml)laiice to AI. nodosa. 



Thus, the dermal tubercles on the head are arranged in thi-ee i-ows, — a median 

 one and a double one on each side. The median row has about 6 tubercles and 

 each lateral one about 10, as in M. nodam. There is a cluster of tubercles at the 

 symphysis of the mandible, and about 10 on each ramus. The dorsal fin is low, 

 with a concave anteiior border, and a knob-like tip, as in one of the Newfound- 

 land specimens.' A deep furrow extends backward from the mouth across the 

 shoulder. The pectorals are white above with a median dark mark proximally ; 

 below, entirely white. The flukes are undoubtedly more or less white below. 

 Unfortunately, the pectorals are turned in such a position that the emarginations 

 on the anterior border cannot be seen. This whale, according to an account pub- 

 lished in the Nortlnoest Magazine May, 1897, was 45 ft. long; the pectoral fins 

 about 9 ft. long; the flukes 13 ft. from tip to tip. 



In two photogi'aphs of California " sceneiy " presented to the National Museum 

 by Mr. Chas. H. Townsend, Humpbacks are represented, showing the pectorals. 

 (See pi. 40, fig. 4; pi. 41, fig. 5). One shows the under side of the left pectoral, 

 which is white for the most part, but with black in the proximal fourth, and a nar- 

 row black posterior border, and black on the tubercles of the anterior border. 



' This same form is shown in the photographic views of antarctic Humpbacks published by 

 Racovitza in the cetology of the voyage of the Belgica, 1903. 



