682 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [1885. 



given to the shoulder-blade, as this has a slender projection at the lower 

 end which extends some distance backward. 



The male organ of a great many quadrupeds, as in the raccoon, is 

 provided with a bone. As it is difficult to say when this may or may 

 not be present, it should always be looked for, and when found left 

 attached to the hip-bones. 



CETACEANS : PORPOISES, BLACKFISH, ETC. 



Porpoise skeletons are very easily prepared, but one or two points, 

 such as the slender cheek-bones, and the pelvic bones or rudimentary 

 hind limbs, require special care. 



Fig. 4. — Skeleton of a Porpoise, tlie dotted lines showing where the cuts should ho made in dividing 

 the skeleton. 



The pelvic bones are so small and so imbedded in the flesh that they 



are only too often thrown away. The 

 accompanying cuts show their location 

 and their average size in a specimen 7 

 or 8 feet long. 



It often happens that the last rib lies 

 loose in the flesh, with its upper end sev- 

 eral inches from the backbone. This 

 should always be looked for. 



There are no bones in the sides of the 

 tail or flukes nor in the back fin, and 

 they can be cut ofl" close to the body and 

 thrown away. 



The hyoid is largely developed in most 

 cetaceans, and will be found firmly at- 

 tached to the base of the skull. 



Fig. 5.— Full-sized pelvis of a Porpoise 

 (Tursiops). 



