Waite — Two Australasian Hlue Whalks 159 



2. THE CORVISART BAY WHALE. 



As the question of the size of large whales has long been one of doubt 

 and uncertainty, I am pleased to be able to record another example of a 

 lengtii practically identical with the New Zealand specimen. Owing to its greater 

 accessilaility 1 -was able to be on the scene of the stranding at a relatively 

 earlier period, and photograijhs taken are consequently more satisfactory than 

 those obtained at Okaritu, some of which were printed in the publications 

 referred to. 



On September 10, 1918, information was receiver by telegrams from two 

 independent sources, namely, the Survey Department and the Harbours Board, 

 that a whale 92 feet in length had been stranded at Corvisart Bay, near 

 Streaky Bay, at the eastern extremity of the Australian Bight. I left Port 

 Adelaide the same day, arrived at Port Lincoln next morning, and, travelling 

 two days b}- motor mail, reached Streaky Bay, where I was met by Mr. 

 Robert Fleming and Constable P. G. Crafter. A drive of nine miles or so and 

 we alighted from the car above the clififs, a quarter of a mile from "The 

 Rocks," where the whale lay stranded. These clififs rise gradually, attaining 

 their greatest height at the "Rocks," but so dwarfing is their efifect that, 

 approaching the carcase along the rocky shore, I formed the idea that the 

 whale was not nearly so large as the New Zealand specimen previously 

 referred to, which was stranded high and dry on a sandy beach. The fact 

 that the tide was high and submerged the body to a depth of four or more 

 feet also contributed to lessening the apparent size of the animal. I took 

 photographs as the tide receded, and when sufficiently low to permit of 

 wading, prepared to measure the length of the whale. By this time my estimate 

 of the size had risen considerably, and it became a question whether, after all, 

 it would not yield a figure equalling that of the New Zealand leviathan. The 

 measurement was very carefully made ; a short line was run out from the tip 

 of the snout at right angles to the axis of the body, whence the tape was 

 carried towards the tail, from the notch of which a similar line was taken. 

 In order to avoid the introduction of any local interest I was assisted by my 

 son, and the tape showed the length to be 87 feet 4 inches. I may mention 

 that as the body was lying parallel to the shore and in a perfectly axial 

 position, no allowances or computations had to be made. The specimen 

 proved to be a female blue whale, in well nourished condition, and when 

 stranded, only four days pre^•iously, the whole of the baleen was in situ. 

 Souvenir hunters had unfortunately mutilated it on one side, but the plates on 

 the other were intact. 



