71 
FAUNISTIC NOTES. 
TIIE THRASHER OR FOX SHARK (ALOPECIAS YULPES). 
A fine male example of this shark was caught in a salmon net 
off Cullercoats, on the morning of the 31st July. The body measured 
7 ft. 9 ins. in length, and the upper lobe of the tail was of the same 
length, giving a total length of 15 J ft., showing it to be a specimen 
of the largest size. The carcase, unfortunately, was towed out to 
sea by the owners one morning at daybreak, before any parts could 
be removed for examination, and only a hurried photograph was 
obtained, which is here reproduced. In this, the chief anatomical 
feature of the fish will be observed, viz., the enormous development 
of the tail. In the dull light of the impromptu tent in which it was 
exhibited, a detailed inspection was impossible, but 1 was unable to 
find any trace of a spiracle. 
Though this shark is not rare on the south and west coasts of 
Britain, it is seldom captured in the North Sea. It is at least 80 
years since one was landed at Cullercoats. The example in the 
Hancock Museum was obtained from Yarmouth. 
W. H. Young. 
THE LESSER FIN-BACKED WHALE OR RORQUAL. 
(BALAENOPTERA ROSTRA! A, Gray.) 
On August 19th, a female lesser rorqual swam blindly to the 
shore at Druridge Bay and was stranded. 1 had the opportunity 
of visiting it the next day. A fisherman informed me that when the 
whale found herself stranded, she struggled fiercely, making the 
water and sand fly in all directions around her. She died as the 
tide receded from her. The carcase was bought by a local farmer, and 
he had already made some progress in cutting it up. It was possible, 
however, to make certain measurements : length, about 30 feet : 
greatest depth, about 5 feet ; each fluke of the tail measured 3 feet 
5 inches ; posterior edge of small dorsal fin 8 feet from the posterior 
end of the body, and this edge was immediately vertical to the anal 
opening; the dorsal fin had been removed, but I was told it was 
about 7 inches high ; the pectoral fin had also been removed (it was 
said to be about 2J feet long), but its anterior border was 3 feet 
behind the mouth, and the extent of the latter measured along the 
lower jaw was 5 feet. The eye on the side which was exposed to 
