THE WHALEBONE WHALES OF THE WESTERN NOKTH ATLANTIC. 299 



Dorsal low, tliick at the base, erect or somewhat falcate, with the anteiior 

 margin usually concave near the middle. 



Flukes bi'oad, witli convex anterior border, concave posterior border, and 

 acuminate extremities ; posterior border crenate. 



Abdominal ridges converging in the median line below, anteriorly, forming an 

 irregular projection below the symphysis of the mandible. 



Inferior outline of the body from the pudendum posteriorly broken by three 

 convexities, of which the larorest and most salient is behind the anus. Head and 

 lips with numerous low I'ounded tuberosities; three rows on the head, one median 

 and two hitei-al ; a large irregular aggregation at the symphysis of the mandible 

 and others scattered along the rami. A semi-elliptical furrow above the base of 

 the pectoral. 



Color black, with white markings. Body black, with a varying number of 

 white ai'eas and markings on the lower surface, especially on the mandible, the 

 abdominal I'idges, and about the pudendum. Many of the smaller white markings, 

 es[)ecially on the mandible, are in the form of complete or incomplete rings, or 

 circular ai'eas, and are due to barnacles. White markings occasionally on the 

 upper jaw, liehind the eye, and on the dorsal fin. Pectorals virtuall}^ all white on 

 the upper surface, oi' with the l)asal one third to one half clouded with black ; a 

 narrow, irregular posterior border and the larger anterior sinuosities, when occu- 

 pied by barnacles, black. Under surface entirely white. Flukes black above, with 

 some white markings near the extremities; below, usually with a large white area 

 on each side of the median line, bordered anteriorly and posterioi'ly with black. 



Whalebone dull grayish black, with some more or less dull whitish plates on 

 the i-ight side anteriorly. Bristles dull grayish black; the matted mass somewhat 

 varied in tint. 



Skull very broad ; rostrum obtuse, sides slightly convex. Outer margin of 

 intermaxillse sinuous. Nasals nai-row, the anterior free margin acutely pointed. 

 Orbital process of frontal triangular, very broad transversely ; orbital margin 

 narrow, oblicpie, the posterior angle extending out much farther than the anterior. 

 Occiput narrow anteriorly. Coronoid process of mandible low. Vertebral for- 

 mula: C. 7, D. 14, L. 11 (-10), Ca. 21. Total, 53 (-52). 



BaLjENOPTEEA musculus (L.). 

 Sulphvrhottom. Plate 48, fig. •?. 



Form massive ; size veiy large. Head very broad and obtuse. 



Average total length, 76 ft. ; maximum, 89 feet. Pectorals, from head of 

 humerus, 15 per cent, of the total length, falcate, obtusely pointed. Dorsal fin very 

 small; its height about 1 per cent, of the total length; very variable in form, but 

 usually more or less falcate; situated behind the line of the anus. 



Color of the body mottled gray throughout; the proportion of light and dark 

 tints varying greatly in different individuals ; head a little darker and nearly uniform ; 

 body usually lightest at the shoulder and between the pectoral and navel ; darkest 



