RIGHT WHALES 121 



I should be disposed to describe Neobalcena as a 

 Balcena with affinities to Balcenoptera, and Rhachia- 

 nectes as a Balcenoptera with affinities to Balcena. 



Concerning Agaphelus we have less information. 

 Of the two genera just mentioned there are skeletons 

 in the British Museum, which I have been able to 

 study. Agaphelus* has no dorsal fin, and is said 

 to be without throat plaits ; but this has been stated 

 of Rhachianectes, which is figured by Scammon as 

 having two of those plaits. On the other hand, the 

 baleen is like that of Balcenoptera in being short. 

 The scapula is like that of the same genus. Fur- 

 ther information is required before this genus can 

 be placed with an approximation to accuracy. 



FAMILY, BAL&NIDAE 



Skull very much arched, and narrow anteriorly ; 

 lower jaw without marked coronoid process. Cervical 

 vertebrae fused. Baleen very long. Pectoral limbs 

 short. No grooves on throat. 



The last character may prove to be not applicable 

 to Neobalcena, which is, as already explained, some- 

 what intermediate between the Right whales and the 

 Rorquals. This family of whales contains but two 

 genera, and these include between them probably 

 not more than three species, of which two are refer- 

 able to Balcena. 



* According to Van Beneden and Gervais (OsUographie des Cetacees, 

 p. 236) Agaphelus gibbosus, the "Scrag whale," is a young form probably 

 of Balcena. anstralis. 



