NOTES ON THE WHALES OF NORFOLK. 
303 
our Transactions a most entertaining account of the old 
whaling industries as affecting Norfolk (Vol. 7). In my 
recollection there were several pairs of jaw bones used as 
ornamental arches in Yarmouth, which have disappeared in 
later years. The last historic pair that have been described 
and figured in local histories, and which for years stood in 
the Gashouse Yard after several decades of exposure ’on the 
South Denes (then open), were removed, at my request, to 
the neighbourhood of the dungeons in Yarmouth Tolhouse, 
where they have been re-erected for permanent preservation. 
In the Transactions (1871) reference is made to a Whale 
(the species of which is not given), 58 feet long, that was 
cast ashore at Overstrand in 1822; and another that was seen 
spouting past Cromer in the autumn of the same year. To 
my mind it was scarcely safe to add their occurrences to the 
list of bight Whales. 
The Common Rorqual ( Balcenoptera musculits ), largest 
of the family, known also as the Razorback Fin Whale, has 
occurred on several occasions. The Pagets speak of it as 
having several times been seen and taken in the herring 
nets. They might have added to the interest of these 
undesirable captures had they enlarged upon the serious 
effects of these nettings on the property of the fisherfolk. 
An unvarnished story, as related by an unsophisticated 
fisherman, would have been more than edifying. Mr. 
Southwell gives date of examples as follows : August, 1842. 
In the Ouse near Lynn. Length, 42 feet. 
January, 1851. Same place. Length, 18 feet. He thinks 
the species open to doubt. 
January, 1857. One stranded at Winterton and killed by 
beachmen. Length, 45 feet. Eye witnesses, who have 
described to me the cutting up of this huge beast, the carting 
of it in junks to Yarmouth, and its subsequent exhibition, 
have assured me it was a great sight, and eventually a 
tremendous nuisance ! 
