4, . Sa 

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SEALS AND WHALES OF THE L.M.B.C. DISTRICT. 271 
being about half a mile from the village. Though out of 
water, it still retained some strength, lashing its tail in an 
alarming manner, and with sufficient violence to break in 
pieces the iron anchor belonging to the boat. This was, 
however, of short duration, for a gash in its side with a 
knife put an end to its struggles. It was soon after cut 
up and carted away by a person in the neighbourhood, 
who had bought it for boiling and extracting the oil. This 
process was so far advanced when I was able to visit the 
place that I was only able to procure a flipper for the 
Museum, and to recognise this as belonging to an Orca* 
(the Killer or Grampus). Unfortunately the bones of this 
member were lost in the long process of maceration. 
Lagenorhynchus albirostris, Gray. 
On the 29th December, 1862, at daybreak, a fresh wind 
blowing from W.S.W., and the tide being about quarter- 
ebb, a Cetacean was discovered stranded at Little Hilbre, 
one of two closely contiguous islands at the mouth of the 
Dee. It was observed by Mr. Barnett, Inspector of Buoys, 
who resided on the larger island, and who had noticed 
others off the shore a few days previously. I had urged 
Mr. Barnett, on the occurrence of such creatures, to 
endeavour to secure examples for the Liverpool Museum ; 
and he was, in consequence, kind enough immediately to 
proceed to the mainland for a suitable conveyance, into | 
which it was carefully removed and brought to Birkenhead 
Ferry, and thence across the Mersey to the Museum. 
The creature was still living, spasmodically breathing at 
irregular intervals; the body was warm to the hand, and 
tear-like moisture oozed from its eyes as it lay quiescent 
in the cart. I was desirous of giving it a fresh chance of 
* Bell’s ‘‘Brit. Quad.” ed. 2, p. 445; Gray’s Catal., p. 279; Flower’s 
“List of Cetacea,” p. 18. 
