THE WHALEBONE WHALES OF THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC. 



267 



me, but it appears singular that the matter has not attracted the attention of Ameri- 

 can historians, considering its importance in connection with the history of the dis- 

 covery of America. 



The " Sarde " should, of course, be the Right whale of the Atlantic coast of the 

 United States, Canada, and Newfoundland, B. dsarctica Cope. Fischer, even, 

 seems to have little doubt of that fact. He recalls Gray's claim that it is distinct 

 because it has 14 pairs of ribs, while the San Sebastian whale has 15 * and further- 

 more has the first pair bifurcated, but is not impressed with the importance 

 of these distinctions. He adds : 



" The notable difference which I find between the B. dsarctica and the Biscay 

 whale is the greater relative length of the head of the former. According to the 

 measurements given by Cope, the length of the head in B. dsarctica is to the total 

 length as 1 to 3.69 ; in Segnette's whale the proportion is 1 to 4 ; in the young 

 whale of San Sebastian the proportion is still less, and approaches 1 to 5. We shall 

 see further on that the whale stranded at Taranto in 1877 has the head extremely 

 small, 1 to 5." s 



What is meant by the " head " in this and other discussions of proportions by 

 various European authors is not clear. The length of the skull as compared 

 with that of the skeleton is as follows in various American and European 

 specimens: 



BAL^NA OLACIALIS BONNATERRE. AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN. LENGTH OF SKULL. 



It will be observed that the proportion is remarkably constant in both the 

 American and the European specimens, considering the uncertainties involved 

 in comparing measurements made by different observers. The Taranto skeleton 

 alone offers a marked departure. Considering the whole series, it hardly seems 

 probable that there is any real foundation for the character brought forward 

 by Fischer. 



1 Incorrect Gasco gives 13 pairs, but considers that there may have been 14 pairs. 



"From the animal in the flesh; but from the skeleton this proportion is not more than 

 i to 3.98, or in round number, i to 4." (Foot-note by FISCHER.) 



' Type of B. dsarctica, Cope's measurements. My own measurements give 3.84. 

 * See Fischer's foot-note. 



