THE WHALEBONE WHALES OF THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIO. 267 
me, but it appears singular that the matter has not attracted the attention of Ameri- 
can historians, considering its importance in connection with the history of the dis- 
covery of America. 
The “Sarde ” should, of course, be the Right whale of the Atlantic coast of the 
United States, Canada, and Newfoundland, &. césarctica Cope. Fischer, even, 
seems to have little doubt of that fact. He recalls Gray’s claim that it is distinct 
because it has 14 pairs of ribs, while the San Sebastian whale has 15’ and further- 
more has the first pair bifurcated, but is not impressed with the importance 
of these distinctions. He adds: 
“The notable difference which I find between the B. césarctica and the Biscay 
whale is the greater relative length of the head of the former. According to the 
measurements given by Cope, the length of the head in B. cisarctica is to the total 
length as 1 to 3.69; in Segnette’s whale the proportion is 1 to 4; in the young 
whale of San Sebastian the proportion is still less, and approaches 1 to 5. We shal 
see further on that the whale stranded at Taranto in 1877 has the head extremely 
small, 1 to 5,.”? 
What is meant by the “head ” in this and other discussions of proportions by 
various European authors is not clear. The length of the skull as compared 
with that of the skeleton is as follows in various American and European 
specimens ; 
BALAENA GLACIALIS BONNATERRE. AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN. LENGTH OF SKULL. 
Locality seep | 02 at eg Teno SANG oa gory 
@hanlestonmiSs Gracies stars orsivnelerereete, oerole } Bu78) Bs Wise 
Sansebastians Spalnieeaismeie tease cle 3.63 Gasco 
Guetaria Se Uae ele Lo a le eee 3.63 Graells 
Capen lookout IN Goer. ses sa crclee sel s)el 3 3-53 Ba Wis sk 
INE WIRIEXSG sisters srerreyovele 5 < c!sirice Cray ovararsiavevere Bees Cope 
Garamtol plitaliys tera «terra ave «toys sre sr avorsveys 9 4.77 * Gasco 
It will be observed that the proportion is remarkably constant in both the 
American and the European specimens, considering the uncertainties involved 
in comparing measurements made by different observers. The Taranto skeleton 
alone offers a marked departure. Considering the whole series, it hardly seems 
probable that there is any real foundation for the character brought forward 
by Fischer. 
‘ Incorrect—Gasco gives 13 pairs, but considers that there may have been 14 pairs. 
*““From the animal in the flesh; but from the skeleton this proportion is not more than 
1 to 3.98, or in round number, 1 to 4.” (Foot-note by FiscHER.) 
* Type of B. cisarctica, Cope’s measurements. My own measurements give 3.84. 
*See Fischer’s foot-note. 
