CHAPTER I. 
THE CALIFORNIA GRAY WHALE. 
Rhachianectes glaucu8. Cope. (Plate ii, fig. 1.) 
The California Gray is unlike other species of baleen whales in color, being 
of a mottled gray, very light in some individuals, while others, both male and 
female, are nearly black. The head and jaws are curved downward from near the 
spiracles to the "nib -end," or extremity of the snout, and the lateral form tapers 
to a ponderous beak. Under the throat are two longitudinal folds, which are about 
fifteen inches apart and six feet in length. The eye, the ball of which is at least 
four inches in diameter, is situated about five inches above and six inches behind 
the angle of the mouth. The ear, which appears externally like a mere slit in the 
skin, two and one -half inches in length, is about eighteen inches behind the eye, 
and a little above it. The length of the female is from forty to forty -four feet,* 
the fully grown varying but little in size; its greatest circumference, twenty- eight 
to thirty feet ; its flukes, thirty inches in depth, and ten to twelve feet broad. It 
has no dorsal fin. Its pectorals are about six and one -half feet in length, and three 
feet in width, tapering from near the middle toward the ends, which are quite 
pointed. Usually the limbs of the animal vary but little in proportion to its size. 
The following measurements give the correct proportions of several males taken 
in the Bay of Monterey, California, since 1865 : 
SEX, MALE. Ft. In. 
Length 42 00 
Circumference at point of pectoral 21 00 
Length of pectorals 6 06 
Width of pectorals 2 10 
Nib - end to pectorals 11 00 
Pectorals to top of back 4 06 
Nib-end to corner of mouth 7 00 
* Forty-four feet, however, would be regard- taken that were much larger, and yielding sixty 
ed as large, although some individuals have been or seventy barrels of oil. 
