CHAPTER III. 
THE HUMPBACK WHALE. 
Megaptera versabilis, Cope. (Plate vii, fig. 1. 
The Humpback is one of the species of rorquals that roam through every 
ocean, generally preferring to feed and perform its uncouth gambols near extensive 
coasts, or about the shores of islands, in all latitudes between the equator and the 
frozen oceans, both north and south. It is irregular in its movements, seldom going 
a straight course for any considerable distance ; at one time moving about in large 
numbers, scattered over the sea as far as the eye can discern from the mast-head; 
at other times singly, seeming as much at home as if it were surrounded by hun- 
dreds of its kind; performing at will the varied actions of "breaching," "rolling," 
"finning," "lobtailing," or "scooping;" or, on a calm, sunny da}', perhaps lying 
motionless on the molten -looking surface, as though life were extinct. 
Its shape, compared with the symmetrical forms of the Finback, California 
Gray, and Sulphurbottom, is decidedly ugly, as it has a short, thick body, and 
frequently a diminutive "small," with inordinately large pectorals and flukes. A 
protuberance, of variable shape and size in different individuals, placed on the 
back, about one -fourth the length from the caudal fin, is called the hump. An- 
other cartilaginous boss projects from a centre fold immediately beneath the 
anterior point of the under jaw, which, with the flukes, pectorals, and throat of 
the creature, are oftentimes hung with pendent parasites* (Otion Stimpsoni), and on 
*We 2 :>1 'i n t here Dall's description of the unusually long and stout. First pair of hands 
Cyamus suffmus; also his remarks on the Otion quadrant - shaped ; second pair slightly punctate, 
c,.. ■ ,-n ,ni a in- 1-. .on arcua'.e, emarginate on the inferior edge, with a 
Stimpsoni (Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Dec. 18th, . , , , , . ., 
pointed tubercle on each side of the emargma- 
1872). Illustrations, figures 3 and 5, plate x. ^ ThM .^ of ^ posterior legs keeled 
Cyamus svffusus, n. sp. Body flattened, elon- above, with a prong below. Pleon extremely 
gate; segments, sub-equal, outer edges widely minute. Segments smooth. No ventral spines 
separated. Branchiae single, cylindrical slender, on posterior segments. Color, yellowish white, 
with a very short papilliform appendage before suffused with rose -purple, strongest upon the 
and behind each brancbia. Superior antenna? antennae and branchiae. Length, 0.41 inches; 
