2C0 MR. R. COLLETT ON BAL.ENOPTERA BOREALIS. [Feb. 2, 



The first specimens observed in shore in 1885 were captured near 

 the establishments on Soroen, near Hammerfest, on the west coast 

 of Finmark, the first on the 14th May, by one of the steamers 

 belonging to Bole (Capt. Foyn) ; the second on the 18th by one of the 

 Sorvfer steamers (Capt. Bull). These two factories together obtained 

 during May five specimens. Whales were under the land the whole 

 time, but the fishery was hindered by bad weather. In the previous 

 year this whale had never approached land so early. 



The first one captured by the whalers in East Finmark was 

 killed on tlie 18th June off Nordkyn. 



Many were seen the same day, and they proceeded in an E.S.E. 

 direction, keeping at about 4 Norwegian (over 28 English) miles 

 from land. It was, however, some time before they appeared in any 

 considerable numbers. First, towards the end of June, they began 

 to be captured by several of the whalers, and even then only in small 

 numbers. In the beginning of July, however, the numbers were 

 greater ; and during an entire month some were caught daily along 

 the whole coast of Finmark by all the companies; and occasionally 

 several individuals were captured in a day by the same company. 

 The best period was the latter half of July. In the course of August 

 their numbers diminished, but even towards the end of the month 

 several were caught, but the "schools" appeared then to be more 

 under the Murman coast or further out at sea. The last one ob- 

 tained was by Capt. Siirensen on the 'i8lh August \ but others were 

 seen during the first week in September (the last time being the 8th 

 September). 



XII. Foetus. 



All the managers agree that about an equal number of each 

 sex were captured. The six specimens examined by me were 

 three males and three females. One of the whalers believes from his 

 observations that at the beginning of the fishing-season most of those 

 captured were females. 



Most of tlie females were gravid. At the commencement of the 

 season (in the beginning of July) most of the foetuses were 3 or 4 

 feet long, in the middle of the month they were often or 7 feet 

 (l*8-2'2m.), and towards the end of the season, in August, some 

 were seen of from 8 to 10 or 12 feet in length. Although there was 

 thus a somewhat regular increase in the size of the foetus as summer 

 advanced, their growth increased apparently but slowly, and there 

 were several instances of irregularities. Thus a foetus taken out at 

 one of the factories at Vardo, on the loth July, had a length of 

 8 feet (2| m.) ; whilst at the same place, on the 18th July, one was 

 obtained whiih measured only 2 feet (0"6 m)- Some whalers con- 

 sider it difficult to lay down any fixed rule for the size, having often 



^ [The last specimen of this species killed during tlie season of 1885 -n-as 

 brought in to Capt. Sorensen's factory early on the morning of August 25. It 

 was a male measuring 45 feet (English) along the curves, and was taken ofT 

 Kildin Island on the Murman coast. — A. H. C] 



