Observations on Seals and Whales. 223 



Narwhal {Monodon monoceros, L.) 



This whale is also known to the Expedition only by bones; a 

 pair of lumbar vertebrae were found on the east side of Store Kol- 

 dewey on ^^/s 06 (at the same place as the caudal vertebrae of 

 Balaena mysticeius). Further, its bones and teeth (separated or 

 wrought) were common in the Eskimo ruins on the outer part of 

 Stormbugt, on Renskæret, Syttenkilometernæsset (ca. 77° N. L.), Ile de 

 France and Eskimonæsset. 



Caaing Whale {Globiceps mêlas, Traill). 



"Atlantic Ocean 68° 7' N. L., 1° 44' E. L., ^/s 1908. 



At 8 o'clock in the forenoon 10 — 20 caaing whales approached 

 the ship from the north-east. Already at a long distance off they 

 were readily discovered from the wave they threw out in front every 

 time they came up, and as they went 2 — 3 at a time, these cross- 

 weaves in the water were thus seen at several places at the same 

 time. It was curious to observe how precisely the different animals 

 in each "division" followed one another, both in row and movements. 

 They "shot away" at a great speed, were down for a few minutes, 

 then up again to move a space onwards (so that the whole of the 

 body with exception of the tail was above the water) and then all 

 went down again. They had almost the same size (ca. 5 M.) and 

 were uniformly black; the sides shone from a sea-green shading, 

 and the dorsal fin was fairly small and bent. I could not see the 

 flippers or the white belly, but observed the form of the head and 

 forepart of the trunk and the relative proportions. They passed the 

 ship without stopping and disappeared in the west. Later in the day 

 several of the same kind were seen". 



Grampus {Orca gladiator Bonaterre). 



"Atlantic Ocean ^/s 1908, ca. 73° N. L. 



5 whales were seen from the ship to-day. The observer, who 

 knows whales well, was of the opinion, that they were the grampus. 

 They swam along 2 and 3 together and were often seen coming up 

 above the surface." 



"A. O. ^/8 1908, ca. 70° N. L., ca. 1° W. L. 



I am now quite certain that it was Orca gladiator which was 

 seen two days ago. This evening, namely, 5 enormous (ca. 10 M. 

 long) specimens of this whale were seen round the ship and re- 



