THE BLUBBER OF WHALES 



371 



not been staying for long off the coast of South Africa, for the majority of their stomachs 

 were empty in spite of their fatness. Further, the average thickness of blubber shows 



T 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 r 



OCT. NOV. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT 



SOUTH GEORGIA 



Fig. 109. Pregnant and lactating Fin whales. Monthly average thickness of blubber. 

 Pregnant. Lactating. 



OCT, NOV. 

 < 



JAN. 

 ■SOUTH GEORGIA 



JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT 

 ■* SOUTH AFRICA *- 



Fig. no. Pregnant and lactating Blue whales. Monthly average thickness of blubber. 

 Pregnant. Lactating. 



a decided tendency to fall as the season advances. In other words the longer the whales 

 stay the leaner they become. 



The reason now appears why the large whales at South Africa have a higher average 

 thickness than those of the same length at South Georgia as shown in Figs. loi to 104. 



13-2 



