136 BULLETIN 3r>, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Globicephalus propinquus Malm. 



This species was fouuded ou a foetus 315""" loug, whicli bad been in 

 alcohol twenty-oue years at the time it was described by Maltn.* That 

 writer states that it is distiugnished from G. melas by the possession of 

 a slightly greater number of vertebra; and i)halanges. The number 

 given in each case, however, is within the limit of variation of G. melas, 

 and 110 importance, therefore, attaches to these supposed characters. 



Furthermore, the present writer is of the opinion that the classifier 

 is under no obligation to seriously consider species founded upon fcetal 

 specimens. 



The remarks of Commander Natt och Dag upon the adult from wliich 

 the fcetus in question was taken are based merely on his remembrance 

 of the appearance of the specimen and are of no value in identifying 

 the species. 



Table of measurements. 

 GLOBICEPHALUS MELAS. 



* K. Svenska Veteus. Akad. Haudl., ny foljd, ix, i, 1871, Art. 2, p. 85. 



