SPERM WHALES AND BOTTLE-NOSED WHALES 281 



and the maximum length reached by this species is over 

 16 feet. 



Up to the present the infrequent reports of the occurrence 

 of this animal have been entirely restricted to the southern 

 hemisphere, including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa 

 and the Falkland Islands. 



Mesoplodon stejnegeri is known from but two specimens, 

 both from the Pacific coast of North America. The massive 

 teeth are situated entirely behind the symphysis of the lower 

 jaws, which itself is much shorter than in Sowerby's Whale. 

 The teeth are " inclined slightly inward and backward, but 

 the pointed tip curves outward so as to be vertical ". " The 

 posterior angle is rounded and the anterior raised into an acute 

 point by the projection of the dentine as a distinct, sharp 

 cusp." In one of the specimens described, the tooth measured 

 5f inches along its anterior border, 8£ inches along its posterior 

 border, 3^ inches fron anterior to posterior border, and just 

 over h inch in transverse thickness. 



Of Mesoplodon bowdoini there are also only two known 

 skeletons, both found on the coast of New Zealand. This 

 species has a pair of large flattened teeth situated behind the 

 short mandibular symphysis ; the apex of the tooth is directed 

 upwards. Nothing is known about the external appearance, 

 but the animal is closely related to Sowerby's Whale. 



Mesoplodon grayi, the Southern Beaked Whale, has a pair of 

 inconspicuous triangular teeth near the hinder edge of the 

 mandibular symphysis. This form is said to be characterized 

 by the row of small teeth on each side of the upper jaw, but 

 as similar teeth are to be found occasionally in several other 

 species as well 'it is not a very indicative character for this 

 one. Like the preceding species, M. grayi is as yet only 

 known from specimens in the southern hemisphere, from 

 localities including the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, 

 Australia and Patagonia. 



The two remaining species, Mesoplodon hectori and Meso- 

 plodon mirus, differ from those already mentioned by having 

 the two lower jaw teeth situated close to, or at, the apex of the 

 lower jaw. M. hectori, the New Zealand Beaked Whale, is 

 known from two specimens, both from New Zealand. The 

 flat triangular teeth and their position close to the tip of the 



