78 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 



Order CETACEA. 



Sub-order MYSTACOCETI. 



Family BAL^NOPTERID^. 



Genus BAL^NOPTERA, Lacepede. 



Balaenoptera musculus, Linn. RORQUAL. 



This whale, one of the largest animals extant, has several 

 times occurred on our coast. 



One was taken in the Thames in May, 1859 (Bell's Brit. 

 Quad., 2nd ed., p. 400). 



The capture of a "finner whale" at Grays was previously 

 noted (Zoologist, 1849, p. 2620) ; and, judging from the dimen- 

 sions given (viz., length 58 feet, girth 30 feet), it was probably 

 an example of this species. Whatever question there may 

 be as to identification in this case, there can be none with 

 reference to that captured at Burnham on February I2th, 1891. 

 This very interesting specimen is fully described by Mr. 

 Walter Crouch (Essex Nat., vol. v., p. 124), who gives a table 

 of twenty-two different measurements of its huge bulk. It 

 was remarkable in showing a considerable surface about the 

 jaws which was perfectly white. In other portions of the 

 body also, the same colour was unusually developed. The 

 article is further illustrated by Mr. Crouch with a drawing 

 by himself of the Whale, which drawing is herein reproduced. 



Mr. E. A. Fitch records (Essex Nat., vol. v., p. 134) the 

 appearance of another specimen in the Crouch a few weeks 

 later, in April, 1891. From the description and estimated 

 size, this was probably of the same species. 



Balaenoptera borealis (laticeps), F. E. Gray. RUDOLPHI'S 



RORQUAL. 



This Whale, which is rare on the British coasts, has been 

 four times captured in Essex waters within the last few years. 



