202 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 



Genus Sibbaldius. 



Sibbaldius veliferus (Cope). Finback Whale. 



This large Finback Whale occurs mostly, according to my own observation, on the south side 

 of the Aleutian Islands, and to the cast as far as Kadiak. 



An occasional individual is cast up on the shores of the eastern islands of the chain. 



The Aleuts do not attempt to capture either of the species of the Finbacks at the present time, 

 contenting themselves with the smaller Humpback. 



Sibbaldius sjjlfureus (Cope). Sulphur -bottom Whale. 



This large species of Whale does not to my knowledge occur west of Unimak Pass. The oidy 

 individual ever seen by me was one near the Island of Ukamuk, to the west of Kadiak, in August, 

 1881. 



Genus Bal^na. 



B al^ena japonica Gray. Pacific Eight Whale. 

 The only information I have of the occurrence of this species, in the waters here included, is 

 from hearsay only. I have had no opportunity of observing an individual which I thought be- 

 longed to this species. 



Bal^na mysticetus Linn6. Boichead. 

 This Arctic species of whale is so well known that any remarks I could make would add nothing 

 to the history of this muck-sought-for creature. 



Order UNGULATA. Ungulates. 



Family CERVID^B. The Deers. 



Genus Cervus. 



Cervus canadensis Erx. American Elk. 

 It is somewhat questionable whether this mammal really occurs in the region here included. 

 My only information, concerning its occurrence, is derived from miners, who have visited the south- 

 east portions of the country. 



Genus Alces. 



Alces machlis (Linne") Gray. Moose. 

 Within the past fifty years this huge beast has become quite plentiful in Alaska. The Yukon 

 District and the headwaters of the Tanana, Kuskokvim, and the Nushagak Rivers are the scenes 

 of abundance of Moose at all seasons. A single individual was killed in the vicinity of Pastolik, 

 near Saint Michael's, in the early winter of 1876. This was the first instance of its occurrence, on 

 the seacoast, north of the Yukon River. 



Genus Ranglfer. 



Rangifer tarandtis (Linne) Gray. 

 Rangifer tarandus grcenlandictts (Kerr). 

 At the present writing I do not feel warranted in separating the Barren-ground Reindeer into 

 two species, or even subspecies, for the distinctions are not sufficiently differentiated to substantiate 

 the separation. 



The Barren ground Reindeer occurs plentifully throughout the entire open area of the broad 

 territory under consideration. 



A limit of time alone prevents me from giving an history of an animal so intimately connected 

 with the very existence of the people dwelling in Alaska. 



