712 DR. H. BURMEISTER ON A NEW FINNER WHALE. [June27, 



species than the sternum. As my figure gives a clear view of this 

 bone, I will not describe it more, adding only the measurements. 

 The length in the median line is 1 7 inches, and the transverse dia- 

 meter in a straight line 13" ; the outside is curved downwards and 

 very rough, the inside excavated and smoother. 



Of the twelve lumbar vertebrae, the first is 6 inches long, and the 

 last 9 inches ; this vertebra is the largest of all. They have higher 

 spinous processes than the dorsals, but shorter and broader lateral 

 processes, this process of the ninth and tenth dorsal vertebrae being 

 the longest of all, i. e. 1 foot. The spinous processes of the middle 

 lumbar vertebras are 1 7" high ; but the lateral processes are only 9" 

 long and 7" broad. They have all thin sharpened outer margins, 

 not an expanded tip for the attachment of the ribs like the dorsals. 

 The tail is composed of nineteen vertebrae, of which the twelve an- 

 terior are very strong, but the last six in the axis of the tail-fin ex- 

 tremely small. To the nine anterior caudal vertebrae are attached 

 inferior spinous processes ; on the following nine they are wanting. 

 The transverse processes of the first are not perforated. The fifth is 

 the last vertebra with an indication of such a process. The sixth, 

 seventh, and eighth have short spinous processes ; but all the others 

 are without either. As far as the thirteenth they have the body 

 perforated. The six last are very small and of a peculiar triangular 

 figure. 



The skeleton of the arm-fin is of the usual construction, but has 

 also some peculiarities. The bladebone is rather large, 32 inches 

 broad at the upper margin in a straight line, and 18" high from the 

 glenoid cavity to the same margin. The acromion is 7" long, com- 

 pressed, and somewhat curved above, with an attenuated end, which 

 is not enlarged as usual in Whales. The coracoid process is, on the 

 contrary, thicker at its end, and rounded like a club, and 4^" long. 



The very strong humerus is short, only 11" long ; but the forearm- 

 bones are tolerably loug, being 23", and the radius somewhat stronger 

 than the ulna, which has a large olecranon like a high crest, of semi- 

 circular figure, which is surrounded by thick and strong cartilage. 

 The carpal bones are seven on each side, all enclosed in thick carti- 

 laginous matter, which united them with the forearm-bones and 

 with the metacarpus of the fin. Two of these seem to be the free 

 lower epiphyses of the radius and ulna, and the remaining five the 

 true carpal bones. 



The hand has four fingers, wanting the first or thumb, as usual in 

 the Fin-whales. Each finger has a large metacarpal bone, and the 

 two outer ones two other osseous phalanges ; but the largest (second) 

 finger has four phalanges, and the foUomng three. There have been 

 more cartilaginous articulations, but all these are lost. The first 

 phalangeal bone of the second finger is the largest bone of the hand, 

 being 5 inches long. They have no osseous epiphyses on either end, 

 but have been united only by cartilaginous substance. 



We have also the small bone of the pelvis, which is 7| inches long 

 and 1^ inch broad in the middle, and of a lanceolate form, being nar- 

 rowed at both ends. No vestige of an attachment of another bone 



