4 



Mr. S. F. Harmer 



[May 16, 



There is at present no certain evidence of the reduction in numbers 

 of Fin Whales and Blue Whales. 



In explaining the reduced number of Humpbacks frequenting 

 the whaling grounds, the whalers rely on the hypothesis that indi- 

 viduals of this species are of a timid nature, and are readily frightened 

 away from a locality by pursuit. There is probably some truth in 

 this view, but it is at least possible that the reduction is due to a 

 diminution in number of the total stock of Humpbacks. Whales 

 are migratory animals, and their movements are almost certainly 

 influenced by two causes : (1) the distribution of their food-supply ; 

 (2) the position of their breeding grounds. The Plankton-organisms 

 on which the Whalebone Whales subsist are present in vast quanti- 

 ties in Polar waters durim: the summer, and the whales are accordingly 

 found there at this period. Towards the end of the summer or the 

 beginning of autumn most of them forsake high latitudes. The 

 Southern Humpback executes extensive migrations northwards, along 

 the coasts of the great Southern Contiuents, to the neighbourhood of 

 the Equator and even beyond it. It is in these warmer waters that 

 it is known to breed, and it subsequently proceeds southwards in the 

 ensuing spring, One of the most alarming facts about this species 

 is that it has been extensively hunted along the coasts of Africa, 

 South America and elsewhere. Although it is not possible to assert 

 positively that the South Georgia Humpbacks are thus affected, there 

 are strong reasons for believing that this is the case ; and it would 

 thus follow that this species is persecuted in Subantarctic waters 

 during the summer, and further north during other parts of the 

 year. Remembering that the old whalers reduced the Greenland 

 Whale almost to the point of exterminntion by the use of what may 

 now be regarded as primitive methods, and that a similar fate has 

 befallen the oi ce flourishing whahng industries of other locahties, it 

 thus appears that there are the most urgent reasons for seeking to 

 alford some immediate measure of protection to this and other species 

 of whales. 



In devising methods for the protection of animals, the principle 

 of saving them from being hunted during their breeding season has 

 been found specially effective. It is very difficult to get complete 

 information on this subject with regard to whales, but one of the 

 ways in which a conclusion may be readied is the examination of 

 foetal records, a method which has already been adopted with some 

 success by Guldberg and others. By the study of a relatively large 

 mass of statistics which has been supplied to the British Museum 

 (Natural History) by the Whaling Companies operating off South 

 Georgia, I have found it possible to arrive at certain definite results 

 which amplify or correct those of previous observers. These are 

 specially clear in the case of the Fin Whale, which has provided the 

 largest number of records. It is found that in a giv« n month there 

 is a particular length of foetus which has the greatest frequency ; 



