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THE ZOOLOGIST. 



correspond, with the second, the furrowed whales {Balcsno- 

 pteridce). Finally, in relation to the size of the animal, 

 according to the above argument, the length of the baleen-plates 

 should be in accordance with the degree of activity characteristic 

 of the particular species (or even individual) and the plicce or 

 folds of the skin will necessarily be proportionately developed. 



In the following table I have arranged several of the different 

 species of Whalebone Whales to which the foregoing observations 

 apply, with their characters in relation to their size stated only 

 generally. The conclusions arrived at with regard to the degree 

 of activity of each species, I venture to think correspond 

 sufficiently with our knowledge in regard thereto, as otherwise 

 obtained, to establish the probability of this explanation of the 

 mysterious plic<2 of the Fin Whales being correct. 



Reaching the West Ice on the 26th of July, the ice was 

 found to be but little improved ; nevertheless, we immediately 

 commenced cruising for whales. B. sibbalclii seen frequently, 

 the Finners having now apparently obtained complete possession 

 of the South Greenland whaling-ground. Narwhals, Floe-rats, 

 and old Saddle Seals were very numerous ; an occasional 

 Bladder-nose Seal (P. cristata) was also seen ; a few Bears were 

 shot. The water was nearly always green in colour, but, strange 

 to say, contained little or no food ; the tow-net might have 

 towed an hour and more without collecting half the quantity it 

 would have done in a few minutes in the early part of the season. 

 Not so strange perhaps after all, for, like every other food-supply 

 in Nature, these "lanks" most likely become exhausted towards 

 the end of summer, and the winter's frost is necessary to enable 

 them, to become restocked before the next spring. Diatoms 

 were, of course, there, — perhaps this was their time of rest ; the 



