136 



PEOFESSOR STRUTHERS. 



Sternum. 

 37. Table VII. — Measurements of the Sternum, given in inches. 



38. Characters in comparison with those of B. musculus. 

 — The form of the sternum is shown in fig. I8.1 



To understand the differences of form presented by the 

 sternum in Megaptera and B. musculus it is necessary to con- 



1 For remarks on the interpretation of the sternum in Fin-Whales, the essential 

 and non-essential parts, and the variation of the latter, with a drawing (fig. 4) 

 showing its two places of articulation with the first rib, I may refer to my paper 

 on B. musculus in this Journal, vol vi., November 1871. Reference may also be 

 made to the figure given by Eschricht {loc. cit., p. 139, fig. 47), showing the true 

 relation of the sternum to the first ribs in a fretal Megaptera, with his remarks on 

 that point. Also to the figures of the sternum in B. musculus, B. borealis, and 

 B. rostrata by Professor Flower {Proc. Zool. Soc, 1864, p. 393). The sternum of the 

 Fin-Whales is so liable to variation according to age and individual peculiarity, 

 that care must be taken in attaching importance to the form presented by any 

 individual specimen. 



