O. PHYSALUS. 



147 



decomposed state, on the 2nd of October 1831, in Plymouth 8onnd, 

 and is said to have been 102 feet long and 75 feet in circnmference ; 

 but most likely the abdominal cavity was distended by the interhal 

 decomposition. 



It formerly trtiveUed the country, curiously mounted in three 

 caravans, the first containing the head, the second the thorax, and 

 the third the middle of the tail ; when placed one after the other so 

 as to exhibit the parts of the skeleton in their proper situation, the 

 ends of the caravans were removed, and the cervical vertebrae, the 

 lumbar vertebrae, and the caudal vertebrae were suspended in their 

 proper situation between or beyond the caravans. The proprietor 

 had placed a blade of Greenland whalebone ( Bahma Mtjsticetus) on 

 one side, and several blades of South- Sea whalebone {Balcvna aus- 

 tral'is) on the other side of the upper jaw, in the place of the true 

 baleen of Balcpnoptera. 



Fio-. .32. 



^f^^^^^^^r^. 



Tympanic bones of Physalus antiquornin, from Devonshire. 



The cervical vertebrae are all free and separate ; the second \vith 

 a broad lateral expansion, pierced at the base ; the third, fourth, 

 fifth, and sixth with rings, the ring of the third being the broadest ; 

 the seventh with only a superior lateral process, without a small 

 tubercular rudiment of a lower process ; the lateral processes of the 

 second and third cervical bent backwards, of the fourth straight, 

 and of the fifth and sixth bent forwards. The hinder vertebrae large 

 and heavy. Caudal vertebrae without chevrons 7, with chevrons 10, 

 lumbar 17, dorsal 13, and cervical 7 = 54. The sternum is sinuous ; 

 but the front edge is truncated, on a line with the widest part ; it is 



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