File:Transactions and proceedings of the New Zealand Institute (1869) (14746712621).jpg

Identifier: transactionsproc21869newz (find matches)
Title: Transactions and proceedings of the New Zealand Institute
Year: 1868 (1860s)
Authors: New Zealand Institute (Wellington, N.Z
Subjects: Science Birds
Publisher: Wellington : J. Hughes, Printer
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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ereas the baleenbrought from the Antarctic or South Sea, seldom exceeds nine feet. I, at onetime, from observing transverse ridges on the sides of the baleen plates, thoughtthat these ridges indicated a periodical interruption in the growth, similar tothose observed on the horn of the ox, but from the examination of the baleenbelonging to the cranium presented to the Museum by Sir George Grey, Ivery much doubt the soundness of this theory. The baleen is strictly analogousto the hail-, nails, hoofs, etc., and being liable to be worn down, continuesthroughout the whole life of the animal to grow. A fine and similar exampleof this wonderful provision of nature may be observed in the molar teeth ofthe elephant. * Value of two Whales.—Oil, 20 tons, at £50 a ton, £1,000 ; Baleen, 1^ tons, at £700,£1,050. Total, £2,050.— Voyage of the Diana, whaler, from Hull, in the year 1866-7. t The principal whaler has no idea of size in any animal constituting a generic orspecific character. 1*
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23 2. Rorqualus major, Hump-back. In the autumn of 1831, a whale of unusual dimensions was observedmoving about in the Firth of Forth, and was ultimately stranded near NorthBerwick, within about twenty-five miles of Edinburgh. I was requested bymy brother, Professor Knox, to visit the locality, and endeavour to purchasethe animal. This I accomplished, after much trouble, and no small cost; thecomparative anatomy was ascertained ; the most interesting parts, such assections of the baleen matrix, the arch of the aorta, plaster casts of the brain,etc., together with the baleen in sitA, were exhibited in the Royal Institutionfor some time, and were ultimately handed over to the Town Council ofEdinburgh. As the skeleton occupied a space of one hundred and twenty feetby forty-five, it was expensive even to afford it house room, and therefore itwas put up at the Zoological Gardens. As an assistance to collectors in New Zealand, I am able to give a carefuldrawing of the skeleton of this whale

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