THE FINWHALE FISHERY OF 1886. 215 



Capt. Selliken's largest Whale (of 4) was a male, 82 Norvv. ft. 



Herr Andvesen obtained, between June 10 and July 17: 

 Males, 74; females (June 10), 72, containing foetus 50 Norw. in., 

 68, 84. Average: (1) male, 74 Norw. ft.; (3) females, 74| 

 Norw. ft. 



The sex of a Blue Whale (and in a less marked degree it is, 

 I believe, true of other species of Baltenoptera, and possibly of 

 other whalebone Whales) may be distinguished by the shape of 

 the baleen plates, which in a male are long (up to 4 ft., including 

 gum) and narrow, but thick; while in a female they are short and 

 broad, but thinner. 



While at Mebavn (where we had to take shelter in heavy 

 weather on our way south in the whaler ' Murmanetz '), I found 

 quantities of the copepod, Balcsnopliilus unisetits, on baleen of the 

 Blue Whale. Capt, S. A. Nilsen, of the ' Murmanetz," told me 

 that on August 5th he saw two males of this species making 

 overtures to a female. He harpooned one of the males, on which 

 the other supposed male sprung clean out of the water head first, 

 and nearly fell on board the ship ! 



Common Rorqual. — That this species is extremely variable is 

 only too well known, for it has led to the multiplication of spe- 

 cies and great confusion ; but, according to the reports of the 

 Finwhalers, who have had during the last few years opportunities 

 never before accessible of examining in a fresh state large num- 

 bers of these animals, it seems as if these differences might 

 perhaps be classified under three constant varieties — although it 

 must be allowed that these varieties are not as yet as clearly 

 defined as could be wished ; however, I here quote the descriptions 

 as given me. Capt. Sorensen says, " On the western and southern 

 coasts of Norway a sort of Whale is met with during the herring- 

 fishing, often in great numbers, which is called Herring Whale 

 (Sildehval). This Whale is most like the Capelan Whale 

 (Loddehval), but smaller than it, rarely longer than 50 to 55 ft. 

 It is black on the back, white on the belly, and the baleen like the 

 Common Finwhale's (i. e., the Capelan Whale). Its dorsal fin is 

 somewhat higher and more pointed than the Finwhale's, and it 

 3'ields less oil than that kind." He adds that the " Sildehval " is 

 the southern kind, and the "Loddehval" is the common Finwhale 

 of the north. 



Capt. H. EUevsen says, " The common Fin- or Capelan-Whale 



