CHAPTER IV. 
THE SHARP-HEADED FINNER WHALE. 
Bal^noptera Davidsoni, Scammon. (Plate vii, fig. 2.) 
The name " Sharp - headed Finner" is applied to this, the smallest species of 
Balcenoptera known on the coast. The only one we have examined was found dead 
on the northern shore of Admiralty Inlet, Washington Territory, by some Italian 
lishermen, in October, 1870 ; transported by them to the opposite shore, and towed 
into Port Townsend Bay, where it was flensed on the beach. This opportunity 
of seeing the animal out of the water became unusually interesting to us, for 
there was a mystery about its history which we had not been able to solve in the 
course of twelve years' observations, during which time we had traced it from the 
coast of Mexico to Behring Sea. In the Strait of Juan de Fuca opportunities were 
afforded for observing its habits more closely than elsewhere. 
The animal in question is generally called by whalers a "young Finback," or a 
"Finback's calf," and for several years we were under the impression that this 
inference was correct. In the Strait of Juan de Fuca, these whales were met with 
in numbers together, or singly, throughout the year ; but, though they frequently 
played around the vessel, we could never get near enough to decide whether they 
were toothed whales or allied to the whalebone species. The length of the indi- 
vidual captured in Admiralty Inlet was twenty- seven feet. When compared with 
other Balcenidce, it appeared so small, that we were skeptical whether it was an 
adult or not; but, upon making an examination, a well -developed foetus* was found 
* This foetus was remarkably well formed, Ft - Iu 
and iu point of color-marks, corresponded with From fork of caudal to dorsal fin ■ ■ ■ ■ 1 7 • 
those upon the parent animal, with the excep- Dorsal Junction along the back 5 
tion of being somewhat dimmer. The following Height of dorsal 2£ 
are its dimensions : Point of snout to corner of mouth ■ ■ ■ 1 2 
rt. in. Point of snout to eyes 1 2h 
Total length 5 6 Point of snout to pectorals 1 10 
Caudal fin between extremities 1 2 From top of back to pectorals 9 
Width of each lobe of caudal fin 4J From top of head to corner of mouth 4 
Marine Mammals. — 7. (49) 
