362 MR. W. H. FLOWER ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF THE SPERM-WHALE. 
bone which generally appears at the radial end of the distal row of the carpus. 
Although in the manus of some forms, e. g. Globiocephalus, and some Delphini, one 
could scarcely hesitate, at first sight, to identify it with the trapezium, the following 
considerations induce me to agree with Dr. Van Bambeke in naming it the first meta- 
carpal. 
a. Its characters are in many species intermediate between those of a carpal and a 
metacarpal bone. This is the case in Phocwna, Pseudorca, Physeter, and some Delphini ; 
while in Monodon, and especially in Delphinus tursio, it has perfectly acquired the cha- 
racteristic elongation of a metacarpal. 
b. There is a great tendency for the metacarpal at the other extremity of the 
series (the fifth) to assume many of the characters of a carpal bone, especially at its 
proximal end. 
c. The most crucial test appears to be afforded by its early ossification, corresponding 
in this respect with the true metacarpals. Thus in the genus Orca, while there is but 
a single ossific nodule in the middle of the cartilaginous carpus, the bone in question 
is as well ossified as are the undoubted bones of the metacarpal segment. 
It is quite possible that the trapezium may be contained in the bone which I have 
called above “‘ scaphoid,” and that this should, therefore, be named ‘“ trapezio-scaphoid ; ” 
but of this I am not able to furnish any proof. 
7. The cuneiform always directly supports the fifth metacarpal, and frequently some 
part of the fourth. Moreover, in those hands in which the ulnar side of the carpus is 
greatly reduced, e.g. Globiocephalus, the fifth metacarpal has even a connexion with 
the ulna itself. This condition of the Cetacean carpus is illustrated in other mammals 
in which the manus approaches or attains the form of a paddle,—as in the Seals, and 
more distinctly in the Sirenia, the fifth metacarpal is in more or less direct relation. 
with the cuneiform of the proximal row. The same occurs also in some terrestrial 
mammals, as the Armadillos. 
The carpus of the Cachalot follows the simplest type of the Cetacean manus, the 
chief peculiarity being its shortness and lateral expansion, by which the bones of the 
second row are, as it were, forced up between those of the first, so as to bring them all 
nearly on the same level. There is, however, no difficulty in identifying them. Accord- 
ing to the foregoing propositions, they will represent:—the scaphoid or trapezio- 
scaphoid (Plate LXI. fig. 1, s), the lunar (/), the cuneiform (c), the unciform (w), the 
trapezoid or trapezo-magnum (f), the pisiform(p). The symmetry of their arrangement 
is well seen in the figure *, 
The digits ave five in number. The bones of which they are composed are tipped 
at each end by a thin layer of cartilage, which in no instance among the specimens 
examined contained an osseous epiphysis; nor is there any sign of a terminal epiphysis 
having been united to any of these bones. This is somewhat remarkable, as in some 
* In Wall’s description the distal epiphyses of the radius and ulna are taken for bones of the carpus. 
