224 Dr. J. Hector's List of Bones of Seals and Whales. 



This specimen was harpooned outside Wellington Harbour, 

 and appears to be the common dolphin of the coast. 

 Two lower jaws of two other individuals of the same. 



Three skulls of Delpliinus, sp. ? 



Fossil Cetacea. 

 Fragments are abundant in the Pliocene marine Tertiaries ; 

 and several almost complete skeletons are known, but have 

 not been removed from the rock. The fragments that are in 

 the Museum cannot be referred to any class with certainty. 



Extract from a iKi])er hrj F. J. Knox. 1869. 

 ROEQUALUS. (Trigger, Razor-back, Sulphur-bottom.) 



To be distinguished from the Finncr, which is probably the 

 Baloena marginata. 



The fin in this species of the Baloenidae is placed in the 

 usual position, immediately above the generative organs. It 

 is said to average from 30 to 55 feet in length. The baleen 

 is short, and the blubber in comparatively small quantity. 

 This species resembles the great Rorqual in general habits, 

 and, although numerous, does not form a tempting object of 

 capture for the practical whaler. They are common in the 

 neighbourhood of the New-Zealand group of islands. 



Two young specimens were caught and stranded in Porirua 

 harbour, thirteen miles north of Wellington, in 1867, neither 

 of which I was able to preserve, only taking the measurements 

 as detailed in the annexed tables. The dorsal surface Avas of 

 a jet and glossy black, becoming of a light grey on the abdo- 

 men. The characteristic plaits or folds were well developed. 

 The longest baleen blade was 2 feet, of a pale yellow or 

 cream -colour. The osteology and comparative anatomy of 

 this Rorqual were not ascertained. 



A young female specimen ; weight 300 lbs. 

 Measurements : — 



ft. in. 



Snout to tip of tail 9 10 



Greatest circumference 6 8 



Snout to nostrils 1 6*5 



„ centre of eye 1 6 



„ dorsal fin 5 2 



Baleen (pale yeUow or cream-colour), 



longest blade 2 



[This is most likely the Physalus antarcticus of my * Cata- 

 logue of Seals and Whales,' established upon some yellowish 

 baleen imported froni New Zealand. — J. E. G.] 



