rorqual

Updated: May 26, 2025

These details are trivial enough, but a small thing serves as food for gossip aboard ship. The appearance of a whale in the evening caused quite a flutter among us. From its sharp back and forked tail, I should pronounce it to have been a rorqual, or "finner," as they are called by the fishermen. October 19. Wind was cold, so I prudently remained in my cabin all day, only creeping out for dinner.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - The Captain of the Polestar