WHALEBONE WHALES. 
21 
When these animals come up to breathe, they inhale the air so rapidly as to produce 
a sharp sound which may be heard at a considerable distance, and is said to be 
perfectly distinguishable from that produced by any other species. When about 
to descend, Captain Scammon says that this tinner “ assumes a variety of positions, 
sometimes rolling over nearly on its side, at other times rounding, or perhaps 
heaving, its flukes out, and assuming nearly a perpendicular attitude. Frequently 
it remains on the surface, making a regular course and several uniform ‘ blows.’ ” 
THE COMMON FIN-WHALE, FROM A STRANDED SPECIMEN ( X $ T Rat. size). 
The food of the species is mainly fish; and the quantity of cod it consumes is 
enormous. 
Sibbaid s Fin- The gigantic Sibbald’s fin-whale ( B. sibbaldi ) — the ‘ sulphur- 
wbaie. bottom ’ of the American whalers—enjoys the distinction of being the 
largest of living animals. It is a somewhat stouter-built species than the last, and 
commonly attains a length of from 70 to 80 feet, and occasionally reaches 85 feet, 
or perhaps more. The general colour is dark bluish grey, with some white spots 
on the chest, the lower edges and under surface of the flippers being white. In 
American specimens at least, there is, however, a more or less marked yellowish 
tinge on the under surface of the body, which has given origin to the popular 
name. The flippers are longer than in either of the other species, measuring one- 
seventh of the entire length; and the jaws are also of more than usual proportionate 
size. The back-fin is small, and situated comparatively near the tail. The whale- 
