20 
CETACEANS. 
resorts to these on the East. In 1885 the coasts of that country were visited by 
enormous numbers of this species, while the larger tinners and humpbacks which 
usually resort there did not appear at all; and during that summer no less than 
771 specimens were killed. 
Rudolphi’s whale, according to the observations of Mr. Collett, differs from the 
other tinners in feeding entirely on minute crustaceans, never touching fish; and, 
in accordance with this difference in its diet, the edges of its whalebone are more 
frayed out and curling than in the other species. On the Finmark coast these 
whales appear sometimes singly, but more generally in schools of varying size, 
which may occasionally include some fifty individuals. When migrating, or not 
engaged in feeding, they swim rapidly, and do not require to breathe so frequently 
as the other species. When they come up to blow, they make but one or two 
respirations, while the others take five or six. When swimming under water, their 
course can be traced by the bubbles of air continually rising to the surface; and 
when gorging on the swarms of crustaceans found in the northern seas these 
whales swim quite slowly, with the muzzle and half the back above water. 
Rudolphi’s whale never appears to utter any sound; and is timid and inoffensive 
in disposition. The occasional accidents that happen to boats engaged in the 
pursuit of this whale appear to be caused unintentionally during the death-throes 
of the animals. As a rule, but a single young is born at a time, but Mr. Collett 
records one instance of twins. The whalers of Finmark believe that this whale, 
like the two larger species of the genus, can remain under water when resting for 
upwards of eight or twelve hours; such periods of repose often occurring at 
particular hours of the day. Mr. Collett states that the yield of oil varies from 
fifteen to thirty barrels, and that the value of one of these whales ranges from £27 
to £33, or about half that of the common fin-whale. 
Common Fin- The common fin-whale, or rorqual (B. muc id us) averages from 
whale. 00 to 65 feet in length, and rarely exceeds 70 feet. It is very 
elongated in form, with moderately long jaws; the flippers measuring one-ninth of 
the total length. The colour of the upper-parts and the left side of the lower jaw 
is slaty grey; while the right side of the lower jaw and the under-parts, including 
the inferior surface of the flukes and flippers, are white. The whalebone is slate 
coloured at the ends, with the first two or three rows white. 
The common rorqual is found rarely in the Mediterranean, but abundantly 
throughout the more northern seas of Europe, ranging as far as the 70th or 75th 
parallels of latitude. It is likewise widely distributed in American waters, where 
it is commonly known as the fin-back; and it appears that the so-called southern 
fin-whale of New Zealand is not specifically separable. It is not uncommon off the 
British coasts, two dead specimens having been found floating in the Channel in 
1885, while another was stranded at Skegness in 1887. 
The common fin-whale swims with great rapidity and strength, being second 
in this respect only to the next species; and is consequently taken with difficulty, 
except when explosive harpoons are used. Its habits appear to be generally very 
similar to those of the lesser fin-whale; and it is described as playing around 
vessels under way in the same manner. These whales are frequently found alone, 
but occasionally assemble in schools of from ten to fifteen or twenty individuals. 
