CHAPTER I. 

 THE CALIFORNIA GRAY WHALE, 



Ehachianectes glaucus. Cope. (Plate ii, fiff. 1.) 



The California Gray is unlil^e other species of baleen whales in color, being 

 of a mottled gray, very light in some individuals, while others, both male and 

 female, are nearly black. The head and jaws are curved downward from near the 

 spiracles to the "nib -end," or extremity of the snout, and the lateral form tapers 

 to a ponderous beak. Under the throat are two longitudinal folds, which are about 

 fifteen inches apart and six feet in length. The eye, the ball of which is at least 

 four inches in diameter, is situated about five inches above and six inches behind 

 the angle of the mouth. The ear, which appears externally like a mere slit in the 

 skin, two and one -half inches in length, is about eighteen inches behind the eye, 

 and a little above it. The length of the female is from forty to forty -four feet,"" 

 the fully grown varying but little in size; its greatest circumference, twenty-eight 

 to thirty feet ; its flukes, thirty inches in depth, and ten to twelve feet broad. It 

 has no dorsal fin. Its pectorals are about six and one -half feet in length, and three 

 feet in width, tapering from near the middle toward the ends, which are quite 

 pointed. Usually the limbs of the animal vary but little in proportion to its size. 



The following measurements give the correct proportions of several males taken 

 in the Bay of Monterey, California, since 18G5 : 



SEX, MALE. Ft. In. 



Length 42 00 



Circumference at point of pectoral 21 00 



Length of pectorals q 06 



Width of pectorals 2 10 



Nib -end to pectorals H 00 



Pectorals to top of back 4 06 



Nib -end to corner of mouth 7 OO 



"■Forty-four feet, however, would be regard- taken that were much larger, and yielding sixty 

 ed as large, although some individuals have been or seventy barrels of oil. 



