180 THE WHALEBONE WHALES OF THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC. 
and interspace, the breadth of the rostrum is 28.8 %. It is obvious, therefore, that 
the rostrum is not acuminate as in B. physalus. 
The second point of agreement between the Ocean City whale and B. physalus 
pointed out by Cope is in the number of vertebra and ribs. He gives the follow- 
ing formula for the vertebre: C. 7, D. 15, L. 1%, Ca. 23 = 62. So far as the total 
number is concerned, this is the average for B. physalus, but the formula does not 
correspond with that of any specimen of the species with which I am acquainted. 
The formula for the Ocean City skeleton which I found in 1900 was as follows: C. 
7, D. 15, L. 14, Ca. 24 + = 60 +. It was impossible to decide definitely as to 
the location of the first chevron, and fifteen lumbars should perhaps be counted, 
rather than fourteen. So far as it goes, this formula is not more characteristic of 
B. physalus than of B. musculus, but as the last caudal vertebra found had a trans- 
verse diameter of 44 inches and an antero-posterior diameter of 2} inches, it is 
probable that as many as four caudals should be added, making the total twenty- 
eight, a number never found in B, physalus. 
The next point of agreement with B. physalus mentioned by Cope is the pro- 
portional size of the pectoral fin. According to my measurements of the Ocean 
City whale, the length of the pectoral from the tip to the root, or insertion, was 99 
inches, while in a specimen of B. physalus 44 feet /onger than the Ocean City whale 
the same dimension was but 72 inches. 
As regards the position of the dorsal fin, I do not find any exact measurement 
either in Mr. Ives’s table (cited by Cope) or my own. ‘The remark that the “ dor- 
sal fin marks a point about one-fourth the length from the posterior border of the 
flukes to the end of the muzzle,” would apply almost equally as well to B. physa- 
lus as to B, musculus. Indeed, as will be seen later, the relative position of the fin 
is so nearly the same in both species that it can scarcely be used as a diagnostic 
character. 
From the foregoing facts it will be seen that the association of the Ocean City 
whale with B. physalus does not receive support. On the other hand, the small 
size of the dorsal fin, and the mottled gray color of the body, the large pectoral 
fin, and the dark under-surface of the flukes ally it to the Sulphurbottoms of 
Newfoundland. 
I append the measurements of the Ocean City whale, made by myself, with 
those of Mr. Ives added. These measurements were made ten years before those 
of the Newfoundland specimens, and without reference to any particular system. 
They are not, therefore, strictly comparable with the latter: 
BALAINOPTERA MUSCULUS (L.). OCEAN CITY, N. J., OCTOBER 8, 1891. FEMALE. 
Total length along the middle of the body from snout to notch of 
ite Simamone Dodo occ U RUDD OMBE reac soncd lb bioomocoe out Gortts) 92) mn: 
»“ To hinder border of the tail,” 66 ft. 11 in. (Ives.) 
*“ From shoulder to the tip,” 7 ft. 4 in.; “‘along the lower margin,” 8 ft. 3 in.; “along the 
upper margin,” 6 ft. (Ives.) * 
