NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



Whales have been found in the Pliocene deposits 

 on the east coast of England and in Belgium. 



The Right Whale {Balesnida) is distinguished 

 from all other genera of whales by the absence of a 

 dorsal fin, and by the skin of the throat being smooth. 

 The dimensions of a Southern Right Whale caught 

 in Algoa Bay are : 70 feet long ; 1 5 feet in height at 

 thickest part; head i6J feet long; width of tail 

 from point to point i6\ feet. 



The name " Right " Whale was given by sailors 

 because it was the right sort of whale, viz. the most 

 valuable to them. 



THE HUMP-BACKED WHALE 



(Megaptera longimana) 



The Hump-backed Whale is common around our 

 coasts, and may often be seen in pairs. I have 

 frequently watched them near the coast at Shoen- 

 makers Kop near Port Elizabeth, and on two 

 occasions I witnessed a prolonged fight between 

 two males. The tail and pectoral fins are used as 

 weapons. The tough fin, which is 10 feet long, 

 was raised high into the air ; the Whale brought his 

 body alongside his foe and rolled partly over to 

 obtain greater striking power. Then, roUing back, 

 he brought the fin down on his antagonist with a 

 resounding whack. He then swerved outwards and 

 dehvergd a terrific blow with his tail. To diminish 



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