BAL.ENID.E 21 



be heard at a considerable distance, which is quite distinguishahle 

 from that of other whales of the same family. We have (ob- 

 served the interval between the respirations of a large Finback 

 to be about seven seconds. It frequently g-ambols about ^'essels 

 at sea, in midocean as well as close in with the coast, darting 

 under them, or shooting- swiftly through the water on cither 

 side; at one moment on the surface, belching forth its quick, 

 ringing spout, and the next moment submerging itself beneath 

 the waves, as if enjoying a race with a ship dashing aloug 

 under press of sail. 



"In beginning the descent it assumes a variety of positions; 

 sometimes rolling over on its side, at other times rounding or 

 heaving its flukes out and assuming a nearly perpendicular at- 

 titude. Frequently it remains on the surface, making a regular 

 course and several uniform 'blows.' Occasionally they congre- 

 gate in schools of fifteen or twenty or less. In this situation 

 we have observed them going quickly through the water, several 

 spouting at the same instant. Their uncertain movements, how- 

 ever, — often showing themselves twice or thrice and then dis- 

 appearing — and their swiftness, make them very difficult to cap- 

 ture. The result of several attempts to capture them was as 

 follows; from the ship one was shot with the bomb gun, wliich 

 did its work so effectually that although the boat was in readiness 

 for instant lowering, before it got within darting distance the 

 animal, in its dying contortions, ran foul of the ship, giving her 

 a shock that was very sensibly felt by all on board, giving 

 her a momentary heel of about two steaks. We had a good view 

 of the underside of the whale as it made several successive rolls 

 before disappearing, and our observations agreed with those 

 made on the Sarah Warren in relation to the color and the 

 creases on the throat and breast. The underside of the fins was 

 white also. At another time the whale died about ten fathoms 

 under water, and after carefully hauling it up in sight, the iron 

 'drawed' and away the dead animal went to the depth beneath. 

 Frequently we have lowered for single ones that were playing 



