54 



CETACEANS. 



form of the head. In size this species is one of the largest representatives of the 

 family, attaining a length of about 20 feet. 



In addition to its beakless globular head, the blackfish is characterised by the 

 long, low, and thick back-fin, the long and narrow nippers, and the small size and 

 number of the teeth, which are confined to the front of the jaws. The usual 

 number of the teeth is from eight to twelve on each side of the jaws, but in a distinct 

 variety or species from the Bay of Bengal they are rather fewer. The skull is 

 very broad and much depressed ; and the union between the two branches of the 



THE BLACKFISH (3*5 nat. size). 



lower jaw very short. In the typical form there is a large spear-shaped white area 

 on the chest, extending from the comers of the mouth to the nippers. This white 

 area is, however, absent in certain forms, which have been regarded as indicating 

 distinct species. 



The ordinary blackfish has a wide distribution, having been 

 obtained from the coasts of Europe, the Atlantic coast of North 

 America, the Cape of Good Hope, and New Zealand. Mr. True considers, however, 

 that the blackfish of the North Pacific (G. scammoni), and also the one found on 

 the Atlantic coast to the south of New Jersey, are distinct species : and there is 

 also some evidence of the existence of a fourth in the Bay of Bengal. In Europe 



Distribution. 



