4i8 



DISCOVERY REPORTS 



mature whale measured 23-2 m. and the largest immature whale measured 24-3 m. 

 Five other whales measuring 23-0 m. to 23-4 m. were doubtful but probably immature 

 (Nos. 2og, 1267, 1408, 1436 and 1482) and three measuring 237 m. to 24-2 m. were 

 doubtful but probably mature. 



Blue males. Of 383 male Blue whales two certainly mature and one probably mature 

 measured less than 22-6 m., three certainly mature whales measured 22-6 m., and two 

 certainly and one probably immature whale measured more than 22-6 m. The smallest 

 certainly mature whale was 22-4 m. and the largest certainly immature whale measured 

 2274 m. There were, however, nine whales between 22-0 m. and 22-95 m. of which the 

 records did not provide evidence as to maturity. 



Fin females. Of 351 female Fin whales, five clearly mature whales measured less than 

 2o-om., four mature and one immature whale measured exactly 20-0 m. and nine 

 clearly immature whales measured more than 20-0 m. The smallest certainly mature 

 whale measured 19-55 m. and the largest certainly immature whale measured 20-85 m. 

 There were also live doubtful whales and two just verging on maturity between 19-5 m. 

 and 21-2 m. 



Fin males. Of 441 male Fin whales, fourteen mature whales measured less than 

 19-4 m., two mature whales measured exactly 19-4 m. and eleven immature whales 

 measured more than 19-4 m. The smallest certainly mature whale measured 19-1 m. 

 and the largest certainly immature whale measured 20-0 m. There were also twenty-nine 

 doubtful cases between 19-0 m. and 20-1 m. 



The ratios of mature and immature whales which have been examined at different 

 times and places may now be considered. In the following table the percentages 

 of immature whales are shown separately for the whales examined at South Georgia 

 and Saldanha Bay, and for the separate seasons and half-seasons at South Georgia. 

 (The end of Januar}^ is taken as the middle of the South Georgia season, which lasts 

 from October to May.) 



