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XI. — An Account of the Great Finner Whale (Balsenoptera Sibbaldii) stranded 

 at Longniddry. Part I. The Soft Parts. By Wm. Turner, M.B. (Lond.), 

 Professor of Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh. (Plates V., VI., 



VII., VIII.) 



(Received November, 1870.)*' 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction, 



External Form and Dimensions, 



Colour, 



Foetus and Membranes, . 

 Skin and Blubber, 

 Mammary Gland, . 



PAGE 



197 

 199 

 202 

 203 

 209 

 211 



Baleen, . 



Organs of Alimentation, 

 Organs of Circulation, . 

 Organs of Respiration, . 

 Genito-urinary Organs, . 

 Comparison with other Finners, 



PAGE 



212 

 222 

 227 

 235 

 240 

 242 



On the 3d November 1869, a huge Finner whale was stranded on the beach 

 at Gosford Bay, Longniddry, Firth of Forth. 



Most of the large Fin whales which have been examined by British and 

 Continental anatomists have been found floating dead on the surface of the sea, 

 and have then been towed ashore by their captors. But, from the account 

 which was given in the Edinburgh daily newspapers, it would appear that, for 

 some days previously, this animal had been recognised by the fishermen, swim- 

 ming to and fro in the Firth. On the morning of the 3d it was seen from the shore, 

 blowing with great violence from its nostrils, flapping its huge tail, and obviously 

 struggling to disengage itself from the rocks and shoals, amidst which an un- 

 usually high tide had permitted it to wander. Shots were fired at it, and, from 

 the wounds produced, blood poured forth which tinged the surrounding waves. 

 As the tide receded, the animal was fairly stranded ; and, after some vigorous 

 but ineffectual attempts to disengage itself from its position, it slowly died. 

 The animal lay some yards above low- water mark, so that for several hours each 

 day it could be examined, and photographs taken from various points of view. 



Under the powers conferred by Act of Parliament, the carcase was taken 

 possession of by the receiver of wrecks for the Board of Trade and sold by public 

 auction. It was purchased by Mr John Tait, Oil Merchant, Kirkcaldy, for 

 L.120. After lying for a fortnight on the beach at Longniddry, a strong rope 



* A preliminary account of this animal, illustrated by a number of specimens, photographs, and 

 drawings, was read to the Society on the 20th December 1869, and an abstract of this communication 

 was printed in the Proceedings of that date. By permission of the Council I have been allowed to 

 supplement the preliminary notice with additional observations, and to extend it in a form for the 

 Transactions of the Society. 



VOL. XXVI. PART I. 3 F 



