Dr. Johnston's Account of a Wliale. 7 



manner. The eyes, situated above the angle of the gape, protruded 

 shghtly, and though small, when compared to the bulk of the body, were 

 still greatly larger than those of an ox or horse, to which they have 

 been compared. The belly was furrowed with great regularity ; the 

 furrows, deep and broad, commenced just below the chin, and were 

 continued until within 14 feet of the tail, when they terminated abrupt- 

 ly, the posterior portion being even and smooth. The whole under sur- 

 face was marbled with black and white, the latter colour being the most 

 predominant. The fins were one on each side, oblong, flattened, white, 

 the inferior margin undulated. They were 9 feet in length, and 30 

 inches in breath, and were articulated to the body about 11 or 12 feet 

 from the anterior end, the greatest circumference being immediately in 

 front of them. The tail was semi-lunar, and 9 feet in breadth. The 

 individual was a female. 



On opening the stomach six cormorants were found in it, and another 

 in the throat, so that it was presumed this Whale had been choaked in 

 the attempt to swallow the bird. 



Whales of this description annually visit our coasts in the autumn, en- 

 ticed from their proper residence in the north by the appearance of the 

 herring fry, on which they chiefly prey. A few weeks previous to the 

 above date, an individual, which measured 58 feet in length, was thrown 

 on Holy Island ; and a few years ago another, considerably larger, was 

 exhibited at Eyemouth. They afford little oil in proportion to their size, 

 and their whalebone is very sliort,— in this subject the longest did not 

 exceed 15 inches, — so that the carcase is of little value. The one I 

 have described sold for £17. 25. Qd. The blubber was firm, nearly 4 

 inches in thickness, and yielded, I have been informed, about 18 gallons 

 of very inferior oil. 



The description, which corresponds most accurately with this Whale, 

 is that of Balcena Boops, in Dr. Turton's Compendium of the British 

 Fauna. It was first described as a visitant in our seas by Sir R. Sib- 

 bald, in 1690 ; afterwards in 1782, by Dr. Walker, and in 1808, by Mr. 

 Neill. They were probably more common in ancient times, otherwise 

 the grant which, in 1128, David I. conferred on the monks of Holyrood, 



