DELPHINUS. 587 



base, the longer diameter across the jaw. Vertebrae 73 to 76 in 

 D. delphis C. 7, D. 14-15, L. 21-22, C. 30-32. 



I include Prodelphinus, which only differs in having a natter 

 palate. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



A. Palate with deep and broad lateral grooves 



proximally. 



a, Teeth | to g .......................... D . ddphi ^ p 587 



* Teeth S .............................. D. dussumieri, p. 588. 



B. Palate nearly flat ; teeth $ ................ D. malayanus, p. 088. 



394. Delphinns delphis. The common Dolphin. 



Delphinus delphis, L. Syst. Nat. i, p. 108 (1766) ; Flower, Tr. Z. S. 

 xi, p. 1, pi. i ; id. P. Z. S. 1883, p. 500 ; True, DelpJiinida. pp. 45, 

 160, pi. xi, figs. 1-3 ; W. Sclater,Cat. p. 321. 



Pomigra, Tamul (Madras.) 



Body- slender, head small. Beak long and narrow ; pectoral fins 

 three times as long as broad, narrow in the distal half and acutely 

 pointed. 



Teeth |J to |, small. Bony palate deeply excavated on each 

 side proximally, the median portion convex. 



Fig. 192. Common Dolphin, Delphinus delphis. (Flower, Art. Mammalia, 

 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.') 



Colour very variable. The Indian D. pomeeyra is said to be 

 almost black, with a rather lighter shade on the belly. In Atlantic 

 specimens the back is usually dark grey, the uuderparts white or 

 whitish, and the sides occupied by various bands of grey or 

 fulvous. 



Dimensions. Total length 7 ft. 6 in., snout to dorsal fin 39*3 inches, 

 to pectoral 20, length of pectoral 14, breadth of flukes 20-5. Length 

 of skull 18-4 inches, breadth between orbits 675, length of ros- 

 trum 11. 



Distribution. Probably all tropical and temperate seas. In India 

 only recorded from the Madras coast. 



2B 



