98 
Transadioyis of the Royal Society of South Africa. 
which have exceeded 50 ft. in length. Such whales are not rare, therefore 
Dr. Peringuey's statement on p. 75 should be modified. 
The statement that this species possesses a penis bone requires confirma- 
tion. Eleven humpback whales recently examined by me gave negative 
results. The alleged penis bone shown in position in the skeleton of the 
Humpback whale in the South African Museum, Capetown, resembles very 
closely one of the pelvic bones of a sperm whale. 
It is not my intention to speak here on the great question of the possible 
extermination of whales. I submitted some suggestions for the control of 
the whaling industry to the Dominions Royal Commission, March, 1914 
(Minutes of Evidence, pp. 322-329), and, inter alia, the question of Antarctic 
A B 
a is that of a male 46 ft. 4 in. long. 
b is that of a female 51 ft. 9 in. long. 
whales migrating northwards in order that their young should be born in 
comparatively warm seas was discussed. 
I would like, however, to remark that there is no evidence which points 
to any possibility of whales being exterminated. There is, however, reason to 
believe that the whaling industry will suffer through whales becoming 
scarcer. 
I am dealing elsewhere with the whole question of the preservation of 
whales and the whaling industry ; my object in submitting the present 
comment is the purely scientific one of endeavouring to apply the test of 
careful observation to assertions claiming to be fact. 
