264 MR. R. COLLETT ON BAL^NOPTERA BOREALIS. [Feb. 2, 



thinner than usual. Capt. Bull told me that during the previous 

 year at Sorvser he got 2.5 to ."^O barrels off each example (30 to 3.5 

 hectolitres). The blubber is thickest about the flippers and on the 

 back, where it is from 3 to 6 inches thick (80 to 130 millim.). 



The value is estimated by the whalers as being about half that of 

 B. musculus. and averages about 500 to 600 kroners {£27 to ^33). 

 The baleen is considered more valuable than that of the other kinds. 



Finally, it may be mentioned that it is from this species, and from 

 none of the others, that the flesh is prepared on a large scale for 

 human consumption. A factory has been at work during the past 

 year at Sorvser, near Hammerfest, hermetically preserving the flesh 

 of this species, the flesh of the other species of the Balsenopteridae 

 not being considered fit for such a purpose. 



XVI. Monstrosities. 



During my stay at Capt. Castberg's factory at Ynrdii I was shown 

 an individual which lay moored to the shore, ciiugiit on the 16th 

 July. It wanted both "flippers" from the shoulder-joints. As 

 this deficiency a|)peared to be symmetrical, it is probable that the 

 specimen was born without flippers (however I could not be sure 

 of this, as I could not stop until the blubber was removed). 



XVII. Synopsis of the four Northern Species o/Balaenoptera. 



I conclude my remarks by giving a brief summary of the external 

 characters of the four northern species oi Balcenoptera : — 



Balcpnoptera rostrata (Fabr. 1/80). Norwegian Vaariehval 

 (" Bay Whale "). — Length 25 to 30 feet, seldom exceeding 33 feet. 

 Form of the body rather robust or plump ; the greatest height is to 

 the total length as 1 to 5. Colour greyish black above ; the under- 

 side white, including the whole of the lower side of the tail ; the 

 flippers with a broad band of white across the outer side ; the inner 

 side quite white. Dorsal fin high, evenly curved, and deeply 

 emarginated behind ; it is placed somewhat far forward, at the 

 commencement of the last third of the body. Vent placed just 

 under (or a trifle beyond) the hindermost edge of the dorsal fin. 

 Flippers moderately long, measuring about one eighth of the total 

 length of the body. Baleen with the bristles of a yellowish-white 

 colour. The number of plates about 325 ; their greatest length 

 about 200 millim., not including the bristles. Jaws short, being to 

 the total length to 1 to bk- 



Balcenoptera borealis. Less. 1828. Norwegian Sejhval ("Coal- 

 fish Whale"). — Length 40 to 48 feet, rarely as much as ,52 feet. 

 Form of the body less robust; the greatest height is to the total 

 length nearly as 1 to 5|. Colour bluish black above, with oblong 

 light-coloured spots ; the underside as far as the genitalia more or less 

 white. The whole of the tail, with the flukes and the flippers on 

 both sides, is exactly similar to the back in colour. Dorsal fin high, 

 evenly curved and deeply emarginated behind ; it is placed far forward. 



