SCANDINAVIAN CETACEA. 277 



the lower row, but on the lower side of the last (opposite the end of the radius) there is, on both 

 extremities, a 6th carpal bone, very small, and with two smooth surfaces, which I have never 

 observed on any other specimen of this, or any other species of whales. Fingers 4 ; the 1st has 

 4, the 2nd 7, the 3rd 6, and the 4th 3 phalanges. The 1st finger has 3, the 2nd 7, the 

 3rd 6, and the 4th, 3 phalanges, on a complete hand of another specimen from Eergen. These 

 are rather short and wide. The pelvic bones are quite small, as will be seen from the measure- 

 ments given. If we may judge from Rudolphi's figure of one of these bones with the sur- 

 rounding periosteum, they resemble very nearly those of the preceding species. Their middle 

 process is quite small and obtuse. Both the others, one of which is about twice as long as the 

 other, are obtuse, and of almost equal width. The longer process is, according to Eschricht, 

 directed forward. 



The mucous membrane of the jejunum is, according to Eschricht, provided with 5 — 6 loose 

 longitudinal folds and indistinct transverse ones. 



This species, which is the smallest of all our whalebone-whales, is also more frequently 

 obtained on the coast of Norway, particularly on the Western Coast, than any other. Although it 

 sometimes enters the Cattegat, and has, according to Eschricht, once been obtained in Christiania 

 Bay, at Drobak, and once on the eastern coast of Jutland, in the vicinity of Horsens, it is not 

 known that it has ever been stranded or caught on the coasts of Sweden, It would appear from 

 this that it only exceptionally runs into the Cattegat. Its home is in the northern parts of the 

 Atlantic, and in the Polar Sea. It is only during the summer that it is found in the northern 

 regions. Like the others, it runs south in winter. It is not seldom caught on the western 

 and northern coasts of Norway, at Iceland, and Greenland, and it has even been seen at Spits- 

 bergen. At Troms5, in Norway, I saw the baleen of a specimen of this whale, that had been 

 stranded there, having been driven aground by the pursuing ravenous " Wagnhundarne " 

 (Whale - dogs) .^ Although a northern species of whale, it does not seem to be as northern as our 

 other Balænopteræ, appears oftenest during the summer on the western coasts of Norway, and is 

 there, in consequence thereof, sometimes called " Summer-whale," in opposition to the Herring- 

 whales, which appear during the winter and spring.^ In the vicinity of Bergen, where it is gene- 

 rally known under the name of " Waagehval," it is caught in certain small bays or creeks, with 

 narrow inlet, which is shut up by a kind of coarse net, made of cast-ropes, or sometimes by a wooden 

 gate. The inlet is closely guarded after the whale is enclosed, and it is then killed either with 

 harpoons or with arrows shot from bows. It finally dies from the wounds, but often lives 8 — 14 

 days after being shut up. There are several places mentioned where it is caught in this manner, 

 for instance, Elorvaag, Stegesund, Tellevaag, Skogsvaag, Qualvaag, and others. It was formerly 

 oftener caught in these places than it is now, but some are generally caught every year. Sometimes 

 two, seldom three, are seen together ; but it generally appears alone. It is at times found on the 

 coasts of England and France, but is said not to appear in the Mediterranean. It has also been 

 obtained on the eastern coast of North America. The male is much more seldom caught than 

 the female. There was only one male among eleven specimens, mentioned by Eschricht as having 

 been caught. It feeds principally upon small fish. It is said to live upon Osmerus arcticus, in 

 Davis Strait. Eschricht is of opinion that it brings forth its young during the winter. It has 

 generally only one young, but two foetuses have, however, been found in the female. 



^ Probably Orca Schlegelii. 



^ It disappears from the coasts of Greenland during the winter, 



