Packard.! 272 



informant, Capt. I. Handy, an experienced wliale fisherman, and a 

 very accurate observer, the "spout" of the sperm whale issues in a 

 single short stream of vapor from the extreme end of the nose, and 

 curls over In front of the head. The spout of the Finback forms a single 

 column of vapor about ten feet high. The Right, and Humpback, 

 and Sulphur-bottom, all " blow " in a double stream, which is directed 

 backwards toward the tall. 



Monodonmonoceros Linn. While the Nai'whale is abundant, going 

 in schools, in Hudson's Straits, it is a very rare visitant upon the 

 coast of Labrador, and had not been seen by the Esquimaux near the 

 Moravian settlements for at least twenty-five years. 



Beluga leucas Pall. The White whale is not uncommonly seen 

 passing In schools along the coast in the summer time. 



Orca gladiator. The Killer which was described to me as having 

 the head much shorter and blunter, and with longer teeth than the 

 Grampus, from which It is easily distinguished by its sharp, dorsal 

 fin, five or six feet high, is commonly said, by the fishermen, to attack 

 the Right and Finback whales, "gouging out lumps of flesh." At 

 Belles Amours, an Individual was captured, from whose stomach 

 five "shoulders" of the seal were taken. 



\ Globicephalus melas Auct. The Black-fish, or Grampus, abounds 

 on the whole coast. 



REPTILES. 



Rana septentrionaUs Baird. A specimen of this species from Okak, 

 identified by Prof. E. D. Cope, was presented me by one of the 

 missionaries. The occurrence of any reptile in so extreme a climate 

 is interesting. The genus has been observed on the Yukon River in 

 latitude 60° N., but the climate of that region is much milder, as it is 

 more Inland. We were Informed by the inhabitants that frogs were 

 heard and seen during the short summer at Stag Bay, just north of 

 Cape Harrison, Domino Harbor, Lewis Bay, and Henley Harbor. 



Bufo americana Lee. A single specimen was obtained at Salmon 

 Bay, in the Straits of Belle Isle. Thougli no direct comparisons were 

 made, it did not apparently differ fi-om our common toad. 



Plethodon glutinoaa Baird ? A specimen which is referred with 

 some doubts to the above species was noticed in a stream at Belles 

 Amours, Straits of Belle Isle. It was of a dark slate color, with a 

 paler dorsal stripe, and about six inches in length. 



FISHES.* 



Scomher vernalis Mitch. A few mackerel are taken in August in 



*For the identifications of the species and all remarks on their synonTmy, 

 I am indebted to Mr. F. TV. Putnam. 



