Rorguals or finwhales. ile 
observed to lie and gambol in the surf in a depth of 13 feet of 
water or even less; while at times it will allow itself to be well- 
nigh stranded, so that it cannot get away till the next tide. The 
species is at present represented in the gallery only by a miniature 
model. 
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Two views of the Right Tympanic Bone of the Common Rorqual (Baleno- 
ptera musculus), to show the rounded and shell-like form characteristic of all 
the species of Balenoptera. Half natural size. 
Rorquals (genus Balenoptera) are distinguished from 
ae Right-Whales by the comparatively small and_ flat 
; head, the narrow flippers, the long and slender body, 
Finwhales. we eS 
the presence of a fin on the back, and of deep parallel 
furrows in the skin of the throat and chest. These furrows allow 
of the expansion of the region in which they are placed, so as to 
form a capacious pouch, capable of taking in a large quantity of 
water containing shoals of small fishes or other marine animals. 
On contracting the pouch, the water is driven out through the 
C 
