Abstammungslehre. 739 



List of species observed in ;i aumber of famüies, with notes on their 

 habits and mode of occurrence, ;iiid keys to fche species of several families. 



Doncaster (Cambridge). 



1()(>S) LillJe, D. G. (University of Cambridge), Observations on the 

 Anatomy and General Biology of some Members of the larger 

 Cetacea. 



(Proc. Zool. Soc. 3. p. 769—792. 1 plate. 1910.) 



Describes observations on Whales, i nie at the [nnishkea whaling Station, 

 Ireland. The species observed belonged to the genera Balaena, lialaenoptera, 

 Megaptera and Physeter. An account is given of the occurrence of hairs, 

 which are absent in Physeter but present in fche oral region of the Mysta- 

 coceti; it. is suggested that fchey either have a tactile function, or that tbey 

 are persistent vestiges of vibrissae. The auditory Organ of Balaenoptera is 

 descrihed, and it is concluded that since the externa! ear is filled with water 

 and the middle ear with air through the Eustachian tube, the curiously 

 modified tympannra probably functions as pressure-gauge. Sound-vibrations 

 are probably perceived by means of vibrating bony surfaces. The asymmetry 

 of the Odontocete skull is explained by the fact that the pipe-like epiglottis 

 is placed not in the middle of the pharynx, but at one side. in order to allow 

 the passage of the comparatively large animals which are swallowed by these 

 whales. 



In the notes on the species observed there are a number of facts of bio- 

 logical interest. In Balaenoptera musculus there are two colour-types; 

 the dorsal surface may bluish or brownish black. The face is always asym- 

 metrically coloured. The skin of the throat-grooves is bright red, apparently 

 in consequence of their being very vascular, and the author suggests that they 

 may constitute an accessory apparatus for aerating the blood. The food of 

 this species and B. sibbaldi is chiefly Meganyctiphanes norvegica; one 

 specimen bad fed upon herrings. 



The only parasites found were Balaenophilus unisetus (copepod). 

 The alimentary canal of Physeter contained cuttlefish, and the skiu of the 

 head was deeply marked by their suckers. Parasites were Conchoderma 

 auritum and virgatum on a tootb, and many internal parasites (not yet 

 determined). 



Balaenoptera comes to the surface at e venin g and morning, blowing 

 about every ten minutes, but appears to remain submerged for several hours in the 

 middle of the day. This habit is perhaps connected with the rising and sinking 

 of the planktonic organisms. The is evidence that a harpooned Balaenoptera 

 may dive so as to strike the bottom at 100 fathoms. Copulation is said to 

 take place at the surface of the sca. The period of gestation is not known. 



Doncaster (Cambridge). 



lb'09) Haminarsten, 0., Über die Gallen einiger Seehunde. 

 (Zeitschr. f. physiol. Chemie 68,2. p. 10!)— 118. 1910.) 

 Die untersuchten Gallen stammten von folgenden Tierarten: Phoca barbata, 

 groenlandica. foetida und Cystophora cristata. Sie sind reich an Taurocholat 

 (90,84. 89,67, 88,64, 72,40 °/ ) und arm an Glykocholat und Seifen (5,66, 

 4. in. 6,51, 7,16%). An Phosphatiden finden Bich bei Cystophora 14°/ , bei 

 den anderen weil weniger oder nur Sparen. Der Gehall an Fett und Chole- 

 sterin beträgl 8,50, 1,98, 3.21, 6,36 °/ . Die drei erstgenannten Arten ent- 

 halten reichlich Bilirubin, einige auch Urobilin und eine jekorinähnliche 

 Substanz in geringer Menge. In allen vier Arten kommen dieselben Gallen- 

 säuren vor wie in der Walroßgalle, nämlich Taurocholsäure und a- und ß- 



