4 STUDIES OF TASMANIAN CETACEA, 



were discovered. These were found to contain interesting 

 osteological specimens, the majority of which related to 

 the Crowther presentations. 



A rough examination disclosed that the collection con- 

 sisted of three more or less complete skeletons probably re- 

 lating to Glohicephahis, the skull and portion of a skeleton 

 of a killer whale. Also included there were two skeletons 

 (without skulls) of the Dugong {Halicore australis). In 

 addition to the foregoing a skull from the Museum store 

 collection labelled "E pidon chafhamensis" (6) was examined 

 for purposes of comparison, and also an articulated skele- 

 ton of a "Killer," made in 1868, together with a larger 

 skull. 



When we recall the fact that the late Dr. W. L. 

 Crowther from the year 1866 onward continued to collect 

 and forward to the Museum of the Royal College of Sui'- 

 geons a wonderful series of Cetacean remains — that in totaj. 

 embraced 34 Catalogue folios and in Classification 8 genera 

 of whales — it would have been remarkable if he had not 

 presented some specimens to the local Museum. The late 

 Dr. Crowther's gifts to the greatest Museum of compara- 

 tive anatomy in the Vi'crJd, included no less than 15 full 

 skeletons of whales — splendidly prepared and ready for 

 articulation upon arrival in England. The Tasmanian 

 Scientific world seems to have largely lest sight of the en- 

 thusiasm thus manifested by one who lived and worked 

 amongst us, and we wish to appreciatively recall Dr. 

 Crowther's extensive and practical studies among the Tas- 

 manian Cetacea. 



Before concluding these introductory remarks it is of 

 interest to note that Dr. Crowther forwa,rded from Tas- 

 mania to the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons a 

 representative of the genus Vlymcnia. As this species has 

 not been placed on the Tasmanian list the donation by 

 Dr. Crowther is worth;/ of attention, and eifoi'ts should be 

 made to trace this species in Tasmanian seas. There is a 

 chance, however, that the specimen forwarded to England 

 may have been obtained by one of Dr. Crowther's whalers 

 on the high seas many miles from Tasmania. 



The particular species referred to is figured in the 

 Zoology of the Voyage of the Erebus and Terror, Mam- 

 malia, Vol. I., PI. 15, and is there designated Delpliinop- 

 ferus picronii . It is notable for the absence of the dorsal 

 fin, and the fact that the beak, pectoral fins, and under 

 part of the body are white. 



(6) Lord Notes Mammals of Tasmania, P. and P. Roy. Soc. Tas. 

 1918. p. 29. 



