SEALS AND WHALES OF THE L.M.B.C. DISTRICT. 139 
Part II. WHALES :— 
CETACEA. 
Sub-Order I. MYSTACOCETI. 
Family 1. BALNID. 
Megaptera longimana, Rudolphi. 
On July 17th, 1863, a large specimen of a whale was 
observed by some fishermen stranded on a sand-bank at 
Speke. Its struggles were so evident that no boatmen 
durst venture near it: all they could do for a length of 
time was to keep an eye on it. When dead it was secured 
with ropes and towed to the shore. I visited it on the 
99nd, made an external examination, and took correct 
measurements, as under. It was lying on its back, a 
position very favorable for examination of the under surface, 
but hiding all view of the blowers. I believed it to be a 
specimen of ‘‘Johnston’s Hump-backed Whale, Megaptera 
longimana,”’ of Dr. Gray’s ‘‘ Catalogue,” 1850, p. 26, and 
it would appear to have been up to that date only once 
before observed on the British coast, namely, at Newcastle, 
by Dr. Johnston, and it is remarkable that both specimens 
were females. 
The dimensions are :— Ft.- In, 
Total length in a straight line, from 
Sol tsorCleiirOt Gallen. ceive. enoanee Se ueee dl 4 
Heienoth OF Cape sAWOUl: 6 pagansce-aaesness ess Sh =r) 
HOM SOME UO DAC OVE: wr. ius ose se peciceeea es Se 0 
MremetheOl THE GY Gs s\n. sacoavedesas seek es Of 
From snout to commencement of pec- 
DO Meeute ANN ora ap wrets aisle eae antieracee tapes DAU sh leis oy be +O 
Henethrompectoral Tn: erlieews eee lessees. LO ag 
Extreme width of tail at the tip ......... 1 ee 
