238 DR. J. MURIE ON THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CAAING WHALE. 
Il. Tue Caarye or Pitot WHALE’s EXTERNAL CHARACTERS. 
All observers more or less coincide in describing the colour of Globiceps as deep 
black (hence Traill’s specific name me/as'), excepting a partial whitish streak on the 
free. In their magnificent ‘Ostéographie des Cetacés’ (pls. 51 & 52), Gervais and Van Beneden figure the 
skeleton of this species, and skulls &c. of others of the genus. See also Gray and other authorities. 
Inferior side and partially posterior aspect of the cervical and a few of the anterior dorsal vertebree and 
segments of ribs of the Caaing Whale (G. melas), demonstrating ligamentous structures. 
p, dorsal and ¢, cervical vertebre; 1, 2, 3, the ribs in succession; az, anterior nuchal or forward termination of the anterior 
common ligament of spine; a.c.v, anterior costo-vertebral or stellate ligaments; c¢, costo-transverse ligament; 7, interyer- 
tebral cartilage; a7, articular surface or capitular facet; 4, transverse process; 2, zygapophysial facet; , neural spine. 
As more intimately related to the skeleton than to the myology, I have shifted to this place the illustration 
and few words I have to say regarding some of the ligaments. The woodcut is itself explanatory, and designed 
to show a dissection I made of the costal ligamentous unions. The anterior nuchal ligament, besides some 
longitudinal fibres, has more notably a strong oblique band, which passes from the body of the first dorsal to 
the united axis and atlas, lying upon the surface of the compressed posterior cervicals. This is partly a con- 
tinuation of the anterior common ligament of the spine, but, moreover, may be representative of or include the 
so-called anterior atlanto-axial ligament of Man. Each rib is lashed to the vertebre by a long, uncommonly 
strong, but yielding, anterior costo-vertebral or stellate ligament. This has only a partial trifid division, which 
is spread both on the ventral surface and side of the vertebral body, and on the adjoining intervertebral cartilage. 
It is likewise very firmly fastened oyer the head of the rib. Between the capitulum and vertebral facet is an 
intervening pad of cartilage. The costo-transyerse ligament has its thickest set of fibres beneath; and the first 
rib has its due share of these. This articulation in all the ribs is simple in its nature. The dorsal intervertebral 
cartilages are dense ; in the neck they are reduced to thin lamine ; but the latter I was not at liberty to investi- 
gate with accuracy. 
Professors Van Beneden, of Louvain, and Struthers, of Aberdeen, in their dissections of Balenoptera mus- 
culus (memoirs already cited), have each briefly indicated some interesting points elucidating the cervico- 
dorsal, first rib, and sterno-costal articulations of that species. 
" His original diagnosis runs :—‘ Corpore crasso, nigro: pinna dorsali una breyi: pinnis pectoralibus longis, 
