GLOBICEPHALUS BRACIIYPTERUS. 141 



measurements of the type specimen and the Dam Neck Mills specimen 

 of (}. brachypterus with those given by Scammon for G. scammoni 

 (Marine Mammalia, p. 86), that the pectoral fin was relatively shorter 

 in the two former individuals than in Scammon's specimen. In the lat- 

 ter the length of the pectoral fin is 18.3 per cent, the total length, while 

 in the type of O. hrachypterus it is 1C.4 per cent., and in the Virginia 

 specimen of the same species, 10.9 per cent. 



The distance from the extremity of the head to the anterior base of 

 the dorsal fin in the type of G. bracht/pferus as given by Professor 

 Cope, is relatively less than in any other blackflsh of which I have ex- 

 amined the record. It equals 24.0 per cent, of the total length. In the 

 Virginia specimen the distance to the dorsal is 25.9 per cent, of the 

 total length ; in G. scammoni it is 29.0 per cent. Here again, there- 

 fore, the two specimens of G. brachypterus agree with one another and 

 contrast with G. scammoni, the dorsal fin being nearer the head in the 

 two former specimens than in the latter. 



In the breadth of the tiukes we find the same relationship retained. 

 The flukes are broader relatively in both specimens of G. brachypterus 

 than in G. scammoni. In the latter they equal 22.0 per cent, of the 

 total length, in the type of G. brachypterus 25.1 per cent., and in the 

 Virginia specimen of the same species, 28.0 per cent. 



Though I am convinced that there is very considerable variation in 

 the proportions of parts in individuals of the same species, I never- 

 theless think that the differences shown in the percentages given above, 

 may be taken as supplementing the differences observable in the skull, 

 in distinguishing the east-coast blackfish from the west-coast black- 

 fish. 



No specimens of G. brachypterus, so far as I am aware, have been 

 taken north of Delaware Bay, while on the other hand there are no 

 records indicating that G. melas ranges farther south than Long Island, 

 New York. The southern limit of the range of G. brachypterus is not 

 determinable at present. It is probable that the species is found 

 throughout the Gulf of Mexico and also the West Indies, if we may 

 take into consideration a skull in the Paris Museum from Guadaloupe 

 Island, and which is the basis of 



Globiocephaliis guadaloupensis Gray. 



This skull is figured in the Osteographie (p. 550, pi. 52, fig. 3), under 

 the name of G. intermedlus. It appears, however (to judge by the 

 figure cited), to be identical with G. brachypterus. If there are specific 

 differences they are yet to be pointed out. Gray, as already stated, 

 made this skull the type of a new species or rather subspecies, G. 

 guadaloupensis (Suppl. Cat. Seals and Whales, 1871, p. 84). He, how- 

 ever, gave no-description of it, but-merely cited Gervais' figure. 



