CETACEA. 



235 



Balcenoptera,* the Rorqual. 





THE NORTHERN RORQUAL (B. Boops).- 



These Whales are of rather more slender form than 

 the preceding, and are distinguished by having a small 

 back fin near the tail; and by the throat and belly being 

 wrinkled with folds running down the body lengthwise. 

 The Northern Rorqual (B. Boops)^ is the largest of all 

 known animals, reaching to the length of a hundred 

 feet. It feeds on fishes of considerable size, as well 

 as on the smaller and softer food of its fellows. It is 

 rather avoided than pursued by whalers, on account 

 of its ferocity, and the violent rapidity of its motions : 

 the amount of oil produced by it, is comparatively 



* $Xa/va, phalaina, a whale, and rrt^ov, pteron, a wing, or fin. 

 *f" Bat/j, bous, an ox, and o-v//, ops, the eye. 



