[ 578 ] 



XXX. Account of the Balcena Mysticetus, 

 or Great Northern or Greenland Whale. 



By Mr W. Scoresby jun., M. W. S. 



. ■ 'in !CdlT.»ii"» 



i * • • .'.fit ' • *-'l' U.,f - • fu'i ) 



[Read 3d Feb. 1310.] 



1 he whale, when full grown, is from 50 to 65 

 feet in length, and from 30 to 40 in circumference, 

 immediately^ before the fins It is thickest a 

 little behind the fins, and from thence gradually 

 tapers towards the tail, and slightly towards the 

 neck. It is cylindrical from the neck until near 



* It is said that the whale was formerly much larger 

 than it is at present, being sometimes 100 or 120 feet 

 long : but the accuracy of this statement is to be que- 

 stioned ; for the largest I ever heard of being caught did 

 not exceed 70 feet in length *, and this was reckoned a 

 very uncommon individual. Of about 200 which 1 have 

 seen taken, not one measured 65 feet in length, although 

 many of them were full grown. 



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