HUMP-BACK WHALE IN NATAL WATERS. 63 



we can have some idea of how their presence must incon- 

 venience the Whale. Its tumbling and leaping out of the sea, 

 which have given currency to most incredible yarns, may be 

 due to this reason. In the larger Whales I found fewer of the 

 smaller ones (barnacles), the larger being more noticeable about 

 the fins, jaws, and vent ; the back and sides below the scapulars, 

 under surface of both pectorals and tail being quite free. 



In the 'Fauna of South Africa,'* Mr. Sclater, in writing 

 upon the subject of Whale parasites, confuses Conchoderma 

 auritum with the ship's barnacle ; they are so totally different 

 that one wonders how the mistake occurred. 



The louse Mr. Stebbing identifies as Cyamus erraticus, and 

 mentions also that this is probably the only species represented. 

 The specimens I sent home were removed off the head near the 

 blowhole, where they had fixed themselves. They appear gre- 

 garious in habits, all the sizes keeping together. I noticed, even 

 when exposed to the sun, they made no effort to separate. Some 

 have been found in the gular folds of this Whale. 



It is only recently that the great wild preserves of Africa and 

 their large game have received any attention from their Govern- 

 ments ; the wanton destruction of the Elephant and Giraffe, and 

 the killing of so many thousands of other species have made it 

 imperative to pass laws protecting them from early extinction. 

 But, it may be asked, what of the other big game — our Whales ? 

 If we are to believe all that is told us, the day cannot be very far 

 distant when it will be asked, " Quelles sont les dernieres nouvelles 

 a Natal?" and the reply will be, "The last Whale has been 

 killed." 



* " Mammals," ii. p. 183. 



