CHAPTER XI. 

 ANOMALOUS DOLPHINS 



FAM i LY, PL A TANISTIDAE 



WE can define this family by the following 

 characteristics : Cervical vertebrae all free, 

 and individually of considerable length. Jaws long 

 and narrow with a considerable extent of symphysis, 

 and numerous teeth. Lacrymal bones not distinct 

 from jugal. Pectoral limbs large ; phalanges of digits 

 few in number. 



This undoubtedly ancient family of dolphin-like 

 Cetacea would be more easily definable if we could 

 eject Pontoporia, which is very distinctly nearer to 

 the true dolphins than are either of the two remaining 

 genera, Platanista and Inia. This indeed is done by 

 Gray, who does actually relegate Pontoporia to the 

 dolphins, making a separate family for the two other 

 genera a family, that is to say, for each of them. 

 Sir William Flower was content with urging the 

 adoption of sub-family rank for each of the forms 

 Platanista and Inia, avoiding the placing of Ponto- 

 poria, which was not so thoroughly known at the time 

 when he wrote upon these forms as it is now. 



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