BRITISH MAMMALS 



usually described, but is always sepia, passing into brownish grey on the 

 flanks. There is great individual variation in this species." 



The under parts are chiefly white, the division between the light and 

 dark colour on the belly being sharply defined. The underside of the 

 flippers is always white. 



The baleen plates are variegated with slaty grey and cream colour. 



The Common Rorqual inhabits the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, having 

 much the same distribution as the Blue Whale. It is migratory like the 

 others, and in summer fi-equents the seas of Scandinavia as well as the 

 neighbourhood of Iceland, and of Greenland. 



It is by far the most common of the big whales met with in British 

 waters, and appears in large numbers north of the Shetlands, where the chief 

 captures are made. A good many are also taken about St. Kilda. 



In the Pacific, it is not uncommon at times off the coast of California, 

 while southwards near the Antarctic circle, numbers are caught by the 

 Norwegian whalers about South Georgia and South Shetland. 



On account of its speed and fighting spirit, this species is looked upon 

 by whalers as one of the most dangerous kinds to encounter, especially when 

 it is necessary to lance one fi-om a small boat. Whaling vessels have been 

 sunk by Finbacks charging and knocking a hole in their sides, so it is not 

 surprising that the early whale hunters gave them a wide berth. 



Describing the danger in attacking the large Rorquals, Scoresby says 

 [Arctic Regions J vol. i. pp. 480-481) : " I have made different attempts to 

 capture one of these formidable creatures. In the year 1818, I ordered a 

 chase of them, providing against the danger of having my crew separated 

 from the ship, by appointing a rendezvous on the shore not fer distant, and 

 preparing against the loss of much line, by dividing it at 200 fathoms from 

 the harpoon, and affixing a buoy to the end of it. Thus arranged, one of 

 these whales was shot and another struck. The former dived with such 



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