Cope.] ■l*^^ [April 5, 



part of the maxillary bone. Perhaps when the skeleton is known other 

 characters will be detected. 



The name of this genus is stated by Dr. Lydekker in the text of his 

 description to be as I have cited, but the name Hypocetus stands at the 

 top of the paragraph in which this statement is made, and is also attached 

 to the plate in which it is figured. I have followed Dr. Lydekker's ex- 

 pressed intention rather than what may be a lapsus calami or other mis- 

 take. 



Char, specif — As the posterior border of the skull and the extremity 

 of the muzzle of the specimen are broken off, an exact idea of its outline 

 cannot be given. However, the form was probably much as in the P. 

 poucJietii, and more elongate than in the species of Cogia. This form is 

 subtriangular, with the basal border convex, and the two lateral ones 

 slightly concave. The muzzle is probably, however, produced into a ros- 

 trum, as the maxillary borders are parallel at the point where it is broken 

 off. On the right side, where the maxillary bone is best preserved, there 

 are eight alveoli ; the teeth are lost. The lateral border of the maxillary 

 bone overhangs the tooth line considerably in front, and spreads away 

 from it outwards and backwards in a gradually thinner edge to the deep 

 notch which bounds the supraorbital region anteriorly. The rise of the 

 anterior border of the facial basin is within this notch, and not without it, 

 as in the species of Cogia ; and is gradual, attaining a considerable eleva- 

 tion immediately in front of the temporal fossa, and a little within the 

 vertical plane of the supraorbital border. The premaxillary bones are 

 separated by the deep vomerine channel which they partially overroof on 

 each side, and are separated posteriorly by the prenarial part of the vomer 

 posteriorly. The latter forms an elevated crest directed forwards and 

 unsymmetrically to the right. The premaxillaries spread gradually out- 

 wards posteriorly to a tliin margin, and are concave opposite to the vom- 

 erine crest which separates them, tliat of the left hand descending to the 

 nareal orifice. The skull is broken off at the blow-holes, so that it is dif- 

 ficult to affirm positively whether the right blow-hole existed or not. It 

 was apparently present, but smaller and posterior in position to the right 

 one. The inferior surface of the maxillaries slopes upwards and outwards, 

 leaving the inferior face of the vomer quite prominent below. The vomer 

 forms ihe half of a circle in transverse section above, and extends as far 

 anteriorly as the specimen extends. 



There is a large supraorbital foramen between the preorbital notch and 

 the rising edge of the facial crest, as in the sperm whale ; and there is a 

 smaller one in a direct line posterior to it just exterior to a more elevated 

 part of the crest, within a line above the posterior part of the supraorbital 

 border. A. longitudinal groove anterior to the supraorbital foramen is 

 pierced in its fundus by two foramina. Anterior to the groove a depressed 

 foramen pierces the maxillary bone near the premaxillary border. Ante- 

 rior and interior to the corresponding foramen of the left side a depressed 

 foramen pierces the premaxillary bone. This foramen is absent from 



