1865.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON A NEW FIN-WHALE. 72> 
character of equal importance, and that by an increased knowledge 
of these structures a nearer approach to the perfect arrangement of 
this important group will be made. 
In concluding, I think I have shown— 
Ist. That the Prongbuck is not a true Bovine animal. 
2ndly. That this animal sheds its horns. 
3rdly. That the structure of these organs appears to be imperfectly 
understood. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES. 
Fig. 1. Perfect horn when shed, November 7th. 
2. Old horn in process of being thrown off, showing the separation between 
the old and the new horn. 
3. New horn, as it appeared when the old horn had been shed. 
4, New horn after twenty-one days’ growth. 
17. Sort Account oF PART OF a SKELETON OF A FINNER 
WHALE, SENT BY Mr. SwWINHOE FROM THE Coast oF For- 
mMosA. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., F.L.S., V.P.Z.S., erc. 
Mr. Swinhoe has sent to the British Museum part of the head, 
three cervical vertebree, the first and seven other dorsal vertebree, and 
eight ribs of a large Finner Whale which was thrown ashore on the 
coast of Formosa. The bones are nearly of the size of similar bones 
of the European Finner (Physalus antiquorum), which often reaches 
to the length of 60 or 70 feet, and they most probably belong to an 
animal nearly of that size. 
The second and third cervical vertebree are united, as in the small 
Finner (Balenoptera rostrata) of Europe, while in all the larger 
Finners which are as yet known these two bones are always free. 
This union of the second and third cervical vertebrze is one of the 
characters by which the genus Balenoptera is separated from the 
genus Physalus. The front part of the neural canal has the sub- 
circular form of that of the genus Balenoptera, and not the oblong, 
transverse form of the neural canal in Physalus. I am therefore in- 
clined to refer these bones to the genus Balenoptera until we know 
more of the skeleton and external form of the animal. 
I am, however, inclined to believe that when the animal and its 
skeleton are better known it will be found to have some particular 
characters, as the forms of the bodies of the vertebre and the lateral 
processes show some alliance to the genus Physalus. It is to be 
regretted that the number of the vertebrae, the form of the lumbar 
vertebrze, and the form.of the first ribs were not observed ; and they 
are all required to determine with certainty to what genus it must 
hereafter be referred. It may for the present be designated 
BALZNOPTERA SWINHOII. 
The second and third cervical vertebr are united by the anchy- 
