HUMP-BACKED WHALE.—Megaptera longimana. 
It is an inhabitant of the Greenland seas, and is said to be found in greater profusion 
than any other species. It is furnished with baleen, but this substance is of no very 
great value, being short, and not splitting “kindly,” like that of the Greenland Whale. 
When dry it takes a slight twist. When first born, the young of the Hump Whales are 
devoid of baleen, but a considerable number of rudimentary teeth are found in both jaws. 
The spout or blow-holes are situated on the top of the head, and not on the snout lke 
those of the sperm Whale. 
The name Megaptera signifies “ great-finned,” and is given to this genus on account of 
the large size to which the pectoral fin extends. This member sometimes measures 
as much as seventeen feet in length, being equal to the head, or about one-fifth the entire 
length of the body. When the integument is removed it is seen to be provided with only 
four fingers. The Latin specific name, longimana, signifies “long-handed.” In colour it is 
white. The dorsal fins are placed rather low, and behind the middle of the body. This 
Whale is always infested with sundry parasitic animals belonging to the genera Diadema 
and Otion. 
Aub the true carnivorous Whales are remarkable for the great proportionate size of 
the head. The Pike WHALE, as may be seen from the illustration, belongs to this group 
of animals, and in some respects is not dissimilar to the Greenland Whale. 
This animal is, however, not nearly so large as the preceding, being only about twenty- 
five feet in length when adult. Tt is furnished with baleen, but the plates are compara- 
tively short, and of a slight pinkish hue. The volume of the mouth is made up by a 
development of the lower part of the mouth into a kind of huge pouch, which is capable 
of containing a very large volume of water and marine animals. The tongue is not tied 
down as in the Greenland Whale, but is free towards the apex, and almost as capable of 
movement as that of man. 
It is a native of the seas that wash the coasts of Greenland, and is sometimes seen 
near Iceland and Norway, descending but rarely into warmer latitudes. The flesh of this 
animal is in some repute for its delicacy, and is therefore much coveted by the natives of 
these northern regions. They do not, however, attempt to harpoon the creature, on account 
of its great activity, but content themselves with inflicting severe wounds with their darts 
and spears, in the hopes that the wounded animal may die, and may in time be stranded 
on their coasts. The oil which it furnishes is said to be particularly delicate. 
The Pike Whale feeds not only on the little creatures that form the food of the Green- 
land Whale, but chases and kills the active salmon and other fish. In the stomach of 
one of these animals have been found the remains of various fish, those of the dog-fish 
