Itffles 0n a Coimiiffn Jfin 
(Physalus antiquorum, Gray,^ 
lateig strankJr in ^ristal C|ani«l 
By E. WILSON, F.G.S. 
(CURATOE OF THE BeISTOL MuSEUM.) 
O N January 15th, 1885, a large whale was washed ashore 
dead, at Littleton Pill, an inlet on the east side of the 
estuary of the Severn, and about five miles north of the Severn 
Tunnel. The whale was first observed by the foreman of Mr. 
G. Wintle, brick manufacturer, Elberton, who had it towed up 
the inlet and moored to the wharf near his brickyard, at some 
little distance from the shore. On visiting the spot two days 
afterwards, I found the animal lying on its back at the bottom 
of the Pill. Though not then able to examine the body closely, 
I saw enough to satisfy me that this whale belonged to the group 
of Cetacea termed the BalxEnoyterida, or Finner Whales, and to 
the species popularly known as the Common or Great Northern 
Korqual — the Razorback or Fin Whale of the whalers — and 
scientifically as Physalus antiquorum (Gray), or Balmnoptera 
musculus (Fleming).* 
* To avoid mistake, I may remark that these are some of the 
best known names among a long list of aliases. See Catalogue 
of Seals and Whales in the British Museum, by Dr. J. E. Gray, 
F.R.S., 2nd ed., 1866, p. 144. 
