88 THE ZOOLOGIST* 



out. Prof. Collett also refers me to a paper on the subject by 

 Prof. Guldberg in ' Forhandlinger Videnskabs-Selskabet ' (Chris- 

 tiana, 1891, No. 8), which I have not been able to see. Capt. 

 Gray told me that he saw two heads of bone of this species in 

 London, which he was told came from Norway, but which doubt- 

 less formed part of the above captures. This occurrence is of 

 very great interest, as showing how this Atlantic species, believed 

 not long since to be all but extinct, still lingers on, and continues 

 to visit the same winter quarters in which it formerly abounded 

 at that season of the year ; but it is to be feared that the 

 small "school" found by the Norwegians in 1889 has been 

 exterminated. 



The year 1892 also marks what may prove a new era in the 

 Whale Fishery. In my last year's " notes " I mentioned that it 

 was contemplated to send out an expedition to the borders of the 

 antarctic ice; four vessels, — the 'Active,' 'Balasna,' 'Diana,' and 

 'Polar Star,' from Dundee; and one Norwegian actually started 

 in September last. On the 11th December the last of the 

 pioneer fleet reached the Falkland Isles, and ere this the problem 

 is most likely solved. So little is known about the Right Whales 

 of the antarctic seas that the voyage can hardly fail to have con- 

 siderable scientific interest, although I am not aware that any 

 competent naturalist has joined either of the vessels, but the 

 surgeons will, it is stated, interest themselves in collecting such 

 specimens of the fauna as come within their reach. As to com- 

 mercial success, everything depends upon the quality of the 

 whalebone met with ; if it is expected that a species will be found 

 at the antarctic ice corresponding with B. mysticetus, I fear such 

 an animal has yet to be discovered ; but the bone of B. australis, 

 although short, is reported to be fairly good. Neobalcena margi- 

 nata will also probably be met with, but would be of still less 

 commercial value ; however, the venture is a bold one and fnlly 

 deserving of all the success with which we hope the enterprise 

 may be attended. 



Supplementary Note.— Letters have been received from the 

 Dundee Antarctic fleet, dated Falkland Islands, December 9th, 

 1892. Three of the vessels, the ' Balsena,' ' Active,' and 'Diana/ 

 arrived at Port Stanley, the two former on the 8th December, and 

 departed south on the 11th, the ' Diana' heaving in sight as they 



