Miscellaneous. 473 



On a new Species of BalaDiioptera, By Capt. C. M. Scammoij, U.S.R.M. 



BAL.aEiNOPTERA, Gray, 

 P. Z. S. 1847, p. 89, B. M. Cat. Get. 1850, p. 31. 



Balcenoptera Davidsoni, Scammon, n. sp. 



Above dull black ; body, pectoral and caudal fins wliite below, 

 with a white band across the upper surface of the pectorals near their 

 bases. Gular folds seventy in number, the interspaces having a 

 pinkish cast, though the more prominent portions are of a milky 

 white. Head pointed ; dorsal fin small, falcate, placed two thirds 

 the length of the body from the end of the beak ; pectorals small, 

 narrow, placed one third of the animal's length from the anterior 

 extremity. Genitalia opening below and slightly behind the anterior 

 edge of the dorsal fin. Baleen pure white ; lamiufe on each side 270 

 in number, the longest not exceeding 10 inches. Total length of 

 animal 27 feet ; pectorals 4 feet long, 13 inches wide ; spiracles 3 

 feet 8 inches, pectorals 8 feet 6 inches, anterior edge of dorsal 15 feet 

 inches, and posterior edge of dorsal 18 feet behind the end of the 

 beak ; height of dorsal 10 inches ; breadth of flukes, from point to 

 point, 7 feet 6 inches, width of lobes of the same 25 inches ; from 

 the fork of the caudal fin to the anus 8 feet 4 inches, to opening of 

 vagina 9^ feet ; anterior end of snout to corner of mouth 4 feet 

 8 inches. 



Distribution from Mexico to Behring Strait, on the west coast of 

 America. 



The specimen from which this description was taken was obtained 

 in Admiralty Inlet, Washington Territory, October 1870. It was a 

 female, and contained a foetus five feet long — thus correcting the 

 error of the whalers, who commonly regard this small species as the 

 young of the " finback " of the coast. The skull has been deposited 

 in the National Museum at Washington. 



This species is evidently congeneric with the Balcenoptera rostrata 

 of the British-Museum Catalogue of 1850 ; and, while changes in 

 nomenclature (more recent than those reported in the works of 

 reference now accessible to me) may render it necessary to change 

 the generic appellation at some future da5% the one now used seems 

 sufficient for purposes of description. In specific details, also, the 

 present species is nearly allied to the B. rostrata, as far as descriptions 

 wiU admit of instituting a comparison. I have dedicated the species 

 to Prof. George Davidson, U. S. Coast Survey, and President of the 

 Academy, as a testimony of respect for his scientific attainments, no 

 less than as a personal token of appreciation of his efibrts to assist in 

 the advancement of the scientific interests of this coast. 



A more detailed account of this animal and its habits, accompanied 

 by illustrations, is reserved for a monograph on the Cetaceans of this 

 coast, which I have long contemplated, and which is now on the 

 point of pubheation. — Proceedings of the Cal. Academy of Sciences, 

 Oct. 4, 1872. 



Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser.4. Vol.yi. 33 



