LESSER RORQUAL. 413 



brick-clay near Stirling, which is probably to be referred 

 to this species. 



Little has been observed of the habits of the Lesser 

 Rorqual, which are probably similar to those of its huge 

 relatives. It is usually seen alone, and more than two or 

 three rarely go together. It is observed in Norway that 

 many more females are killed than males, the reason 

 probably being that the former seek the shelter of the 

 coast to bring forth their young. According to Eschricht, 

 the period of gestation is ten months, and the new-born 

 young is about nine feet in length ; instances of two 

 young ones being found are on record. 



In the Norwegian fjords the " Waagehval " is watched 

 into narrow bays or creeks, the entrances of which are 

 then secured and the poor animals die a lingering death 

 vmder the darts and harpoons of the fishermen. 



In form this species resembles the other Rorquals, 

 The baleen is short and of a uniform yellowish-white. 

 The upper parts are dark lead-colour or black, the chin 

 and belly pure white. The flippers are black, with a 

 broad white band across the middle. This appears to be 

 constant, and to afibrd a good specific character. 



In the skeleton the number of vertebrae is forty -eight, 

 and there are only eleven pairs of ribs. The cervical 

 vertebrae are usually all separate, but two or three of 

 them are sometimes partially united. The sternum is in 

 the form of a Latin cross, and is longer than broad. 



The usual length of the adult appears to be from twenty- 

 five to thirty feet, and none have ever been recorded which 

 have exceeded thirty-one feet. Tn freshly killed specimens 

 the baleen is often strongly tinged with pink ; this is owing, 

 according to Prof. Turner, to the presence of blood in the 

 tubes which extend throughout the substance of the blades. 



The foUowinij are some of the measurements of the 



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