HUMPBACK WHALE 283 



Balsena SLUstralis. '^Southern Bight Whale. Zuidlik Opregte 



Walvis. 



The head is large, and the upper lip is acutely arched. 

 Colour, black throughout. Length, 60 to 70 feet ; head, 

 IG feet ; width of tail, 15o to 10 feet. 



This whale wanders into the Cape bays during the 

 winter months to calve. It feeds upon the minute 

 Crustacea and mollusca which are found floating on the 

 surface of the sea in large numbers. 



Genus MEGAPTERA. 



Head moderate and flat, with the jaws almost straight. 

 There is a long dorsal fin situated on a small hump on 

 the back. Flippers, long and narrow. Ventral surface 

 of body ridged and furrowed. 



Megaptera longimana. Huviphach Wliale. Boekelrug 



Walvis. 



Upper surface and sides of body black ; front portion 

 of lower surface white ; rear portion mottled black and 

 white. Pectoral fins scalloped along the bottom edge ; 

 white below and black above. Length of head and body, 

 35 feet. Length of pectoral fins, 9 feet. 



This Whale ranges from the Northern Atlantic to the 

 North and South Pacific Oceans. It is found nearly all 

 over the world. This species also comes into Table and 

 False Bays to breed in the winter months, and, as the 

 blubber is not thick, while the whalebone is short, it is not 

 often hunted by the whalers of the Cape. 



Genus BALiENOPTERA. 



Head small and flat, pointed anteriorly ; skin of the 

 throat plicated. A strong dorsal fin is present, and the 

 pectoral fin is small and narrow. 



