A RARE VISITOR.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1929, Page 8

A RARE VISITOR.

PIGMY SPERM WHALE. WELLINGTON, Jan. 25. The Marine Department reported to the Dominion Museum on Wednesday .afternoon that what appeared to lie a pigmy sperm whale (kogia brevicepsl had heen cast ashore at Breaker Baj Seatoun. Mr W. R. B. Oliver. Director of the Museum, proceeded tr Breaker Bay, and identified the specimen as being of the species named. The pigmy whale, which was about lift in length, and is very rare in the sea around New Zealand, is like its huge cousin the sperm whale, in having teeth in the lower jaw only, am 1 in the asymmetrical skull. The teeth, are small and pointed, the rear ones being directed backwards. The “fish” is black in colour with a little greyish pink on the under surface. There are skeletons or parts of skeletons in tlx Wanganui, Dominion, and Canterbury Museums. The pigmy whale is seldom east upon our coasts. During the past forty years, onlv about twelve specimens have been so found.

While the work preliminary to preserving the skeleton was in progress an unborn calf was found, and as this is probably unique as far as tins species of whale is concerned, casts were made of the fully developed embryo. The small whale was 4 inches long, and of a general slate colour and pink and white beneath the head and on the lower s.urlace of the body Tt. is hoped at a later date to add the skeleton and cast to the exhibits in the- Dominion Muse unit