356 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



remained on the surface continuously all the time — about ten or fifteen 

 minutes. At least twelve shots were fired at the monster. I would 

 have concluded that the fish was a Basking Shark but for its colour 

 and great length. I shall be pleased to have your opinion as to what 

 species you may think it represents. Since we saw the fish I under- 

 stand it has been seen off the Mallig coast. I shall be only too 

 pleased to give any further information re fish required. I am in a 

 small way interesting myself in natural history. — Jos. T. Henderson 

 (Ivy Cottage, Ullapool). 





y^.r 



[An eminent authority to whom I showed this drawing was of the 

 opinion that a Balanoptera was depicted, despite the shape of the 

 caudal fin, which he considered may have been bent or curved on the 

 occasion observed, as is sometimes the case. With this cetacean 

 pronouncement I entirely agreed, but I then submitted the drawing 

 to our contributor, Mr. Southwell, who has so long studied the 

 marine creatures which frequent our shores. He is of a different 

 opinion, and his interesting letter is here printed. — Ed.] 



I return Mr. Workman's sketch and enclosures. The sketch 

 would, at first sight, seem to indicate that the beast seen was a Killer 

 [Orca gladiator), in the rounded black back, high falcate dorsal fin, 

 and the relative position of this with the caudal fin. It would not 

 agree so well with any other cetacean. But you will notice (if the 

 drawing is correct) that the latter fin is in a vertical position ; this 

 precludes its being a cetacean, as in all cases that appendage in the 

 cetaceans is attached horizontally. Were it a Whale of any description, 

 in a stay of fifteen minutes at the surface it would certainly have ex- 

 posed the crown of the head, and might have been expected to "blow," 

 and the Killer does not attain more than half the length assigned to 



