200 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 



Genus Phocjena. 



Phocjena vomerina Gill. California Bay Porpoise. (?) Phoc^ena communis. 



This small Porpoise was observed only among the Aleutian Islands and in the vicinity of 

 Kadiak. 



In Captain's Harbor, Unalashka Island, this species is rather common. I have never seen it 

 singly ; usually two to seven individuals may be seen in the vicinity of the wharf; and, on two 

 occasions these Puffing-Pigs have been taken on hooks baited for codfish. 



The irregularity of their appearance prevented an opportunity to study their general habits. 



The Russians peaking people apply the name svinlca to this Porpoise, while the Aleuts give it 

 the name of J. Id gilch ; and to another small Porpoise they give the name An gdi gikh. 



Family PHYSETERID^E. Sperm Whales. 

 Genus Physeter. 



Physeter macrocephalus Linne\ Sperm Whale. 



I saw but a single individual of this huge Whale in the Alaskan waters. 



In the latter part of August, 1880,1 was outside of the entrance to Chichagof Harbor at 

 Attu Island. Not 500 yards off appeared a large Sperm Whale, making directly for the boat in 

 which I was sitting. In a few minutes she appeared within fifty yards and presented an excellent 

 opportunity for identification. This individual was certainly not less than eighty feet in length. She 

 passed on out to seaward, while the natives were relating that in former times the Sperm Whale 

 was a frequent, summer visitor to the Nearer Group of islands. 



In the middle of July, 1881, a small individual was stranded on the west side of Captain's 

 Harbor, Unalashka Island. This specimen was only about twenty feet in length, and so far ad- 

 vanced in decomposition that a near approach was impossible. 



These are the only instances of the occurrence of this species ; and I am led to conclude that 

 it is now only an occasional visitor during the later summer moiiths. 



The Aleuts apply the term Ag thd gikh to the Sperm Whale. 



Family BALiENIDiE. Whalebone Whales. 



Genus Rhachianectes Cope. 



Rhachianectes glatjcus Cope. California Gray Whale. 

 I am not certain that I ever saw this large whale, excepting on one occasion when crossing 

 the northern portion of Unimak Pass, in the early part of June, 1878, where quite a number, prob- 

 ably a dozen, of these creatures were observed at some distance, slowly making their way into 

 Bering Sea. 



Genus Megaptera. 



Megaptera versabilis Cope. Humpoack Whale. 



The Humpback is quite plentiful in the waters of Bering Sea and to the south of the Aleu. 

 tian Islands. Its extreme northern range is not known to me. 



From the latter part of April to the last of October many individuals of this species occur in 

 the immediate vicinity of Unalashka Island and are hunted by the Aleuts. The killing of these 

 Whales was, in former times, attended with interesting ceremonies, often of a mysterious significa- 

 tion. The whale-hunters were considered as the great men of the village, and to them was paid 

 special honors, not only while living but also after death. 



At the present time the Aleutian whalers are confined to the islands lying eastward of and 

 including Umnak. At Iliuliuk but two or three persons are now living who are hardy enough to 

 attack this large creature. In former years the head or point of the whale-spear was made of 

 slate, but of later years it has been discarded, and the point is shaped from a portion of the side 

 of a beer or thick wine bottle, the former being considered the better adapted, as the glass is brittle 

 and more easily fashioned into the required form of three inches to four inches in length, and hav- 



