MAMMALS. 
83 
were killed in these caves, and even yet some few are 
obtained there. These caves are often of great length, 
and only to be entered in the very smoothest weather ; at 
their further end there is generally a small strip of white 
sand, and on this the young seals are found lying, and 
perhaps one or two adults. 
34. Cystophora cristata, (Erxl.) Hooded Seal. 
Order CETACEA. 
Sub-order MYSTACOCETI. 
Family BAL-SNID^. 
35. Balaena biscayensis, EschrkU. Atlantic Right Whale. 
Family BAL^NOPTERID^. 
36. Megaptera longimana, Patdolph. Hump-backed Whale. 
In a long letter to Zand and Water from Mr. W. Eeid of 
Wick, that gentleman gives an account of a whale of this 
species which was brought into Wick harbour by the crew 
of a Banff boat, who had picked it up dead at sea in April 
1871. Professor Flower identified it as the hump-backed 
whale from Mr. Eeid's description of it. It was a male, 
measuring 48 feet in length and the same in circumference. 
Mr. Eeid gives a very interesting account of this animal 
in the paper referred to, but it is too long to insert here. 
37. Balaenoptera musculus, (i.) Common Rorqual. 
A specimen of this whale was stranded alive near Wick in 
June 1869. It was a male, and measured 66 feet in length. 
The carcass after being " flensed " at Wick, drifted down to 
Golspie, where parts of it were secured for Professor 
Struthers (to whom we are indebted for this communication) 
by Dr. Gunn, and Dr. Souter of Golspie. 
