118 



DIOPLODON DEKSIEOSTEIS, de Blainville. The Dioplodon. 



Synonyms ZipMus densirostris, de Blainville. 

 Mesodiodon densirostris, Duvernoy. 

 Dioplodon densirostris, Grervais. 

 Dioplodon Sechellensis, Gray, S. & W., p. 355, Suppl. p. 102. 



Teeth 5, placed on the anterior third of the rami ; the posterior 

 edge of the symphysis does not reach the teeth. 



Inhab : Seychelles, Lord Howe's Island. 



" The total length of the skeleton, without cartilage, is 14 feet 8 

 inches ; the head measures 2 feet 6 inches in length, and 14 inches 

 across at the widest part ; the lower jaw 2 feet 3 inches long, and 6J 

 inches high behind the tooth ; five anterior pairs of ribs are jointed to 

 the sternum ; sternum composed of four pieces ; the left tooth measures 

 6 inches in length, 3f in width, and If thick"; condensed from Mr. 

 Krefft's account in the Pro. Zool. Soc., 1870. 



This unique and valuable skeleton had been for many years lying in 

 a neglected state on Lord Howe's Island, when it was seen by Mr. 

 Edward Hill. The gentleman being aware of the rare nature of the 

 remains, impressed upon the residents that, if the bones were carefully 

 collected and taken to Sydney, he would guarantee to them a favourable 

 sale, and advised them to apply first at the Museum, of which he is a 

 Trustee. In consequence of this advice, the skeleton, nearly complete, 

 reached Sydney, and Mr. Krefftat once secured it for the establishment 

 over which he is the Curator. 



Genus BERABDITJS, Duvernoy. 



Dorsal fin small, subfalcate (?) ; skull, head small, upper portion nearly 

 symmetrical ; anterior surface of the prernaxillse do not curve forwards ; 

 beak subcylindrical , narrow, much elongated, nearly five-sevenths of 

 the entire length of cranium ; mandibular symphysis moderate, about 

 one-fourth of the entire length of the ramus, and not anchylosed ; 

 teeth compressed, moderate sized, in front of the lower jaw only. 



BEBABDITTS AENOUXI, Duvernoy. New Zealand Berardius. 



Synonyms Berardius Arnuxii, Duvernoy, Gray, S. & W., p. 348 ; 

 Suppl., p. 99. Hector, Knox, Haast, Trans. New 

 Zealand Institute. 

 Berardius Arnouxi, Flower, Trans. Zool. Soc., 1872. 



Teeth &, smaller than in ziphius, frequently not passing through the 

 gums. 



" Colour deep velvet-black ; belly greyish ; pectoral fins a little 

 above the middle of the body ; dorsal fin small, falcate. 



