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Description

Scoresby provides his anatomical description of the Balaena mysticetus [bowhead whale] and the narwhal based on observations made on a trip to the coast of Greenland. Preceded by a covering letter and four plates of illustrations.

Subject: Marine Biology / Zoology

Written by Scoresby in Liverpool [Merseyside, England]. Communicated by Sir Everard Home.

Reference number
AP/9/22
Earliest possible date
30 November 1821
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
21 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

William Scoresby

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Citation

William Scoresby, Unpublished paper and letter, 'Contributions towards the anatomy of whales' by Willm [William] Scoresby, 30 November 1821, AP/9/22, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ap_9_22/unpublished-paper-and-letter-contributions-towards-the-anatomy-of-whales-by-willm-william-scoresby, accessed on 12 April 2026

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  • Archived Papers

    The 'Archived Papers' collection is comprised of original manuscript scientific papers and letters submitted to the Royal Society which remained unpublished or were abstracted in the journal 'Proceedings of the Royal Society' published from 1830 onwards.

    Dates: 1768 - 1989

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