256 MR. W. H. FLOWER ON A LESSER FIN-WHALE [May 24, 
bony ridges and tubercles on its outer surface ; it presents on each 
side near its junction with the body an articular surface, which over- 
laps that on the arch of the succeeding vertebra, and it terminates 
posteriorly in a short compressed ridge, the posterior angle of which 
is prolonged into a rounded spine. The chief peculiarity of this 
vertebra, however, is the enormous development of the transverse 
processes, which stand out like great wings, inclined backwards and 
slightly downwards, and are perforated at their base by a large oval 
foramen, half the length of the process. The neural canal is of 
transitional form, somewhat circular in front, and assuming behind 
the characteristic triangular shape with the base below, seen in the 
remaining vertebre of the neck. The breadth of the body of the 
axis is 6", from tip to tip of transverse processes 17", from inferior 
edge of body to end of neural spine 72". 
The third and fourth vertebree, though quite free and standing 
0-2 inch apart at their bodies, are firmly united by the coalescence of 
the whole of the lamine of their neural arches, which terminate above 
in a continuous very thin low ridge in place of a spine. The bodies of 
the vertebree closely resemble each other; they are 53" broad, 33! 
deep, and 1-2 in thickness. They bear on each side a superior and 
an inferior transverse process, both directed downwards and slightly 
converging, but not meeting at their extremities. The superior pro- 
cess (diapophysis, Owen) springs from the pedicle of the neural arch; 
it is somewhat longer and much more slender than the inferior (para- 
pophysis, Owen), which arises directly from the centrum. Both are 
much compressed from before backwards. The fifth vertebra has a 
body of the same thickness as the last, a spinous process slightly 
longer, and transverse processes similar, but longer and approaching 
more nearly to each other at the ends. In the sixth vertebra there 
is a slight increase in the thickness of the body; the spine is still 
longer ; the inferior transverse processes are more strongly developed, 
especially the tuberosity near the base, which is prolonged into a 
blunt spine directed backwards. On the right side the ends of the 
upper and lower processes unite so as to form a complete ring ; on 
the left side they approach within half an inch of each other. This 
want of symmetry in the two sides is a caution against laying too 
great stress upon minor characters derived from these processes. 
In the seventh vertebra the body presents a similar increase of 
thickness: the spinous process is still a little longer ; there is no trace 
of inferior process; but the superior is long and strong. The first 
dorsal resembles the last in its general characters ; but the single 
transverse process is much more strongly developed, and bears at its 
extremity a roughened surface, to which the first rib is connected. 
There are eleven pairs of ribs. All articulate, by the part corre- 
sponding to the tuberosity in other mammals, directly with the ends 
of the transverse processes of the dorsal vertebree ; and, beyond a 
minute tubercle on the first and second, none have any trace of a 
capitular process. They differ in this respect from those of the Large 
Fin-Whale (Physalus antiquorum, Gray), of which the anterior ribs 
have considerably developed heads, extending towards, though gene- 
