128 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. — 1915. 



Comparing these results with those of 1913 : 



1913.« 1914. 



Ft. in. Ft. in. 



Average for all specimens (37) 

 ,, ,, females (17) 



„ ,, males (20) 



„ for adult females (12) 

 „ males (10) 

 Maximum for females 

 Minimum „ „ 

 Maximum ,, males . 

 Minimum ,, ..... 



It is worthy of note that not only is the general average for 1914 

 slightly greater than that for the preceding year, but the average size of 

 all females and of adult females is markedly larger than the correspond- 

 ing dimensions for 1913. 



With regard to the males, the average for all males, the maximum 

 and the minimum are all markedly less, while the average for adult 

 males, although less, does not fall very far below the measurement 

 for 1913. 



In 1914 the percentage of adult females was 81.25 (13 : 16), and 

 in 1913 it was much lower, 70-59 (12: 17), while in 1911 it was 

 95-24 (20 : 21). Although the earliest figure (1911) is also the largest, 

 the fact that the latest figure is larger than that preceding it emphasises 

 the importance of having a good series of figures before a reliable 

 statement can be made on the subject of extermination. 



In regard to the males, the averages for all males and for adult 

 males are less for 1914 than for 1913. The percentages are 1914, 60 

 (9:15); 1913, 80 (16:20), showing a consistent diminution, since the 

 percentage for 1911 is 92 (23 : 22). 



Blue Whales (B. musculus L.). 



Of the thirteen Blue Whales of the 1914 season I examined four (see 

 Table II. at end of this Eeport). 



The other Blue Whales were taken between July 1 and July 14, 

 during my absence in Liverpool, and also after I left Blacksod on 

 August 2. 



Comparing with the figures for 1913 : 



Average for all females (4) . 

 Maximum for „ 

 Minimum for ,, 



A diminution in average size and also in individual measurements 

 is noticeable. None were pregnant. 



Sejhval {B. borealis Lesson). 

 Only one specimen of this whale was brought in during my stay. 



Ft. in. 

 Female 39 



' Brlthh Association Feport 1914, p. 129. 



