2. RHACHIANECTES. 49 



" The head, between one-fourth and one- fifth of the total length, 

 allies it to the shorter-headed species. From the B. australis the 

 number of dorsal vertebrae, and the colour and shortucss of the baleen, 

 distinguish it ; and no doubt other features will be brought out when 

 we are acquainted with the Cape species. The dorsal serration is 

 not known to occur in any species of the genus Balaam, though said 

 to be characteristic of the A. gibbosus, whose characters I have just 

 given. 



" Two Balcence have been described as inhabiting the North Pacific 

 Ocean, Balcena Siebolclii, Gray (Catal. Cet. I860, p. 96), and Balcena 

 cullamach, Chamisso (Nov. Act. Acad. Caes. xii. p. 251, tab.) 



" Both have been established on figures carved by the natives, of 

 the Japanese and Aleutian Islands respectively, the former under the 

 supervision of a naturalist, the traveller Siebold. The carving of 

 the B, cullamach, judging from the figure given by Chamisso, can 

 .but doubtfully represent any species ; but if the species exist, it will 

 rest on the following diagnosis of its- describer : — ' Eictu amplo forma 

 littera? S curvato, elasmiis maximis atro-caeruleis, spiraculis fiexuosis, 

 in medio capite, tuberculo in apice rostri (ex imagine), pectore pin- 

 nisque pectoralibus albis, dorso gibboso sexpinnato.' 



" These are, however, true Balance. A species of Agaphelm 

 exists in the Kamtschatkan seas, according to Pallas, who, however, 

 derives his information solely from wooden models made by the 

 Aleutian Islanders. This is not sufficient basis for an introduction 

 to the scientific system ; yet Pallas indulges in applying to it the name 

 Balcena agamachscMk. The pectoral limb of this species is said, 

 however, to be white, with the underside of the flukes, characters 

 not found in the A. glaucus. Dr. Gray has already (Cat. Brit. Mils.) 

 indicated that this, if reliable, indicates a genus unknown to him. 



" The Agaphelus glaucus is the Grey Whale of the coasts of Cali- 

 fornia. Two specimens have been examined by my friend Wm, H. 

 Dall, of the scientific staff of the U. S. Russian- American Telegraph 

 Expedition, one of them near Monterey; and descriptions, as com- 

 plete as the state of the specimens would allow, were made. 



" These, which were sent to the Smithsonian Institution, and 

 placed in my hands by Prof. Baird, are quite sufficient to indicate a 

 Whale of a species hitherto unnoticed, and to render certain its 

 future identification. 



" Dorsal vertebras and ribs 13 ; lumbar and caudal (those in the 

 fluke cut off with it) 28. Scapula, breadth and height not very 

 different, with a short broad coracoid process ; its head opposite first 

 rib. Apparently only four fingers, of which the second is the longest. 

 145 lamina? of baleen on each side, the longest 18 inches long ; 

 colour bright yellow."— Cope, Proc. Ac. N. Sc. Philad. 1868, p. 226. 



