CO885-(23-24) — Page 187

APPENDICES,

51

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nature, have contributed material based upon observa- tions of whales; these are, however, unfortunately, for the most part but vague, merely stating that whales," whalebone whales," or "Rorquals" have been seen. More detailed references as to Blue whale, Humpbacked whale, etc., are rare in works on the subject. It is fre- quently possible, however, for a reader who has himself had some opportunity of observing whales to discover what species were seen in the instances recorded by the author.

EARLIEST METHODICAL INVESTIGATIONS AS TO THE ANTARCTIC Whales.

The first methodical studies of whales in the Antaro- tic Ocean were carried out by the able zoologist, Emile G. Racovitza. During the cruise of the Belgica, he had ample opportunities of becoming acquainted with the different species of the geners Balaenoptera and Mega- ptera, both as regards their appearance and manner of life. On the basis of the knowledge thus obtained, he commenced a critical examination of all the information distributed throughout the reports of the various ex- peditions with regard to occurrence of whales south of the 50th degree of latitude. This work of Racovitza is extremely valuable, not only as saving subsequent investi- gators great deal of trouble in searching out data from the many earlier records, but also on account of the numerous excellent critical observations as to the value of the data already given. Racovitza has, with few exceptions, studied all the original reports from Cook's famous voyages (1772-1775) to the commence- ment of the present century; his book was published in 1903. He is thus able to refer to almost the whole of the existing material on the subject. Of later expedi- tions. the most important in this respect are the German Gauss expedition, the British expeditions to the South Pole (Ross Sea), and the Norwegian South Polar expedition.

We have thus a mass of material collected throughout a period of about a century and a half (from 1772 to the present day). Racovitza nevertheless deals with the whole under one head, a method of proceeding which is undoubtedly justifiable, his object being to obtain information as to the distribution of the different species. It is scarcely conceivable that so great natural changes should have taken place in the waters about the Antarc- tic continent during the period in question as to affect the distribution of the species here. And as regards the whaling industry, this has, it is true, in earlier times taken toll of the Right-whale stock in the southern hemisphere, and since 1905 of the Fin-whale stock in a very restricted area of the same (the waters about South Georgia and South Shetland); this can, however, hardly have had any other effect than that of reducing the numbers.

The question as to the influence of the industry upon the stock is, therefore, a point apart, and must be con- sidered chiefly upon the basis of experience furnished by the most recent expeditions. We will, therefore, first of all proceed to consider the question of the areas of distribution of the species.

occurrence of "Right whales," the specimens seen having doubtless belonged to the Blue whale species.

Racovitza was, therefore, obliged to most carefully employ all available data in determining what species had actually been seen in the instances recorded. On the basis of his own socurate observation in the watera about South Shetland, he ventures to conclude and is doubtless justified in so doing-that in nearly all cases where "whales" are reported to have been seen here these must have belonged to one or the other of two species, viz. Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and Humpbacked whale (Megaptera longimana), with perhaps, though more rarely, Balaenoptera physalus and borealis. The two first-named are the most frequently occurring Antarctic species, being found there together, at any rate, at that time of year when most of the expeditions would be in those waters, i.e., November-April. These two compose the true stock of large whales in Antarctic waters.

Racovitza has found, in earlier works, nearly three hundred places recorded where whales had been observed south of the 50th degree. All these spots will be found marked on the accompanying chart (Fig. 1). He com- plains emphatically that these statements are only partly accurate, and frequently incorrect, as regards the distinc- tion of species; the writers, both scientists and whalers, often merely noting points of similarity, instead of defi. uitely stating the species. Bearing in mind what has been said in the foregoing s to the development of our knowledge on the subject, this will not be found surpris. ing. Only few have had any previous opportunity of obsery ing and distinguishing whales when in the water, while the whalers would be for the most part men engaged in the Right-whale or Sperm-whale industry, and not familiar with the Rorquals. Several of the most pro. minent explorers, such as Waddell and Biscoe, make definite and particular statements as to occurrence of Humpbacked whales, etc., whereas others, like Cook, merely refer to "whales," and some, as, for instance, Ross, have doubtless been mistaken in speaking of the

The Right whales" recorded by Rosa must, according to Racovitza, in reality have been these Fin whales, partly because no such Polar whale as the northern Greenland whale has ever been observed in the Antarctic Ocean, but only a species closely related to the Biscay whale, which has never been found in strictly Polar waters. Moreover, later writers (Bull, Kristensen), dealing with the Ross Sea, have found no Right whales there, but only Balaenoptera physalus, musculus, and Megaptera longimana. This applies also to almost all the waters south of the 60th degree of latitude. Pro- ceeding to a closer study of Racovitza's table of occur. rences (localities where whales have been observed) we find that, of 281 occurrences recorded, 249 should, in his opinion (doubtless based on highly critical methods), be referred to Fin whales in the widest sense of the term, ... Rorquals (Balaenopteridae, embracing the genera Balaenoptera and Megapters.)

* Emile G. Racowitza: Cétacés. Résultats du voyage da 5. Y. Belgica en 1897-99, Anvers 1903.

OCCURRENCE OF WHALES IN DIFFERENT PARTS or THE ANTARCTIC OCEAN.

These occurrences group themselves very unequally about the different parts of the Antarctic Ocean. If we divide the region into six areas of equal magnitude, each embracing 80 of longitude, we find, according to Racovitza's table, the following figures!-

Occurrences recorded.

1. From 20-80 W. (from Coats Land, South Georgia, South Shetland, Graham's Land)

84

2. From 80°-140° W. (Graham's Land

westward to Ross Sea) -

6

3. From 140° W.-160 E. (Ross Sea and both sides of the entrance to same)

109

4. From 160-100 E. (Balleny Islands towards Emperor William II. Land) -

5. From 100-40° E. (Emperor William

II. Land to Enderby's Land)

6. From 40 E.-20° W. (Enderby's Land

to Coats Land)

28

9

18

It will be noticed that whales have been noted in great numbers chiefly in two particular areas, viz., South Georgia, South Shetland, and the Ross Sen, with adjacent waters.

In many cases it is possible to determine not only that the whales seen were Rorquals, but also to what species of these they belonged. Thus Racovitza is of opinion and his theory seems to be fairly well borne out by the original documents-that in 65 cases the whalee seen may with perfect certainty be classed as These more Humpbacks, while 93 were Blue whales.

precise statements, moreover, show the same grouping of the whales as the general records given above. Of the 65 occurrences of Humpbacks (Megaptera longi- mana) recorded:

37 were observed between 20 and 80° W. (South

Georgia, South Shetland);

23 between 135° and 1820 E.. with maximum

between 160° and 180° E. (Ross Sea).

The boundaries between these areas will be found specially marked on the chart (Fig. 1).