298 ALLEN: NEW ENGLAND WHALEBONE WHALES. 



The first pair of ribs articulates with it, one on each side, behind the lateral wings. The articu- 

 lation is by a cartilaginous band, continuous along the inner edge of the termination of the rib, 

 differing from that of the Finback in which the attachment is by an anterior and a posterior 

 ligament. 



The scapula is remarkable for the complete loss of its acromion, though near the anterior 

 border, externally, is a slight ridge that indicates the location of the spinous process. The 

 coracoid is faintly developed also, as a rounded knob at the anterior border of the glenoid 

 cavity. The outline of the scapula (text-fig. 7, p. 191) is further characteristic in being somewhat 

 fan-like, with a high and evenly convex vertebral border. The posterior outline is slightly 

 and rather evenly concave, but the anterior border varies from slightly concave to nearly 

 straight above the basal portion, or towards the antero-dorsal angle. True (1904) shows very 

 conclusively that the relative breadth of the scapula increases regularly in proportion to the 

 length of the skull. 



The humerus is short and massive, and the radius and ulna are likewise heavily fashioned. 

 The radius is much larger than the ulna, broadly expanded at the distal extremity, and nearly 

 straight. The ulna is much curved and is remarkable for the great reduction of the elbow or 

 olecranon, which in the Fin Whales is produced proximally so as to overlap the outer edge of 

 the humerus. 



The carpus consists of five more or less cartilaginous elements in addition to the large pisi- 

 form, which stands out as a broad expansion on the ulnar side. These elements are marked 

 off by surface grooves, and seem not to ossify till late in life. In the proximal row are repre- 

 sented (1) the large ulnare which articulates with the outer portion of the radius, (2) a small 

 intermedium, and (3) a radiale, both of which articulate with the radius only. Of the carpalia 

 but two are present, which correspond apparently to digits II and IV. 



The digits are four in number, and it is generally considered that it is digit I that is want- 

 ing but Kukenthal's researches indicate that it is probably the third. Hyperphalangy is 

 shown in digits II and IV, which together form the terminal half of the hand. The number of 

 phalanges in the four digits is, respectively, 2, 7, 6, 3, according to Struthers, but True gives 

 for two Cape Cod specimens, as mounted, 2, 6, G, 2 and 2, 7, 6, 1 respectively. 



The pelvis is represented by a single three-cornered bone on each side of the body, both 

 of which are joined together by a thin sheet of connective tissue. The anterior end, which is 

 taken to represent the ilium is tapering and rounded. The posterior end, corresponding to an 

 ischium is stouter. Including the cartilages at each end, the pelvic bone is about 9.25 inches 

 long. There appears to be no trace remaining of an acetabular cavity such as is present in 

 the Right Whale and the Finback. 



The femur is a very small nodule, entirely cartilaginous in small specimens, but becoming 

 ossified in adult animals. It measured 5 inches in length on the right side, 3.75 inches on the 



