18/6.] DR. J. V. HAAST ON ZIPHIUS NO\^E-ZEALANDI^. 471 



Cervical 7 



Thoracic 9 



Lumbar 11 



Caudal 19 



46 



In comparing this number with that observed in Ziphius australis, 

 it will be seen that the New-Zealand species has three vertebrae 

 less, viz. 9 thoracic instead of 10, and 19 caudal instead of 21, thus 

 showing also some difference in the osteological structure of the two 

 species. I may here observe that all the epiphysal plates of the 

 vertebrae are so thorough^ coalesced with the rest of the body that 

 the line of junction is not visible — a proof that the animal must have 

 been not only adult, but aged. 



Cervical Vertehrce. 



Of these the first four are entirely ankylosed, whilst the 5th, 6th, 

 and 7th are free, thus having one free vertebra less than Ziphius aus- 

 tralis, in which only the first three cervical vertebras are united ; how- 

 ever, as this skeleton was derived from a young animal, this difference 

 cannot be claimed as of a permanent character, until we know the 

 skeleton of the same animal in a full-grown state. The atlas, which 

 is 11*4 inches broad by 8 - 15 inches high, forms with the next two 

 vertebrae one solid bone with a high crest ; it is the largest of all the 

 cervical vertebrae. The parapophyses (lower processes) in each of the 

 coalesced bones, of which that of the atlas is the largest, are, with 

 the exception of that belonging to the fourth, well developed. They 

 decrease, however, gradually in size to the third, that of the fourth 

 being of such small dimensions that it is an inch shorter than the 

 same process in the preceding one, with which it is ankylosed at the 

 upper and lower extremities, but not with the body. 



The fifth cervical vertebra is very narrow, 0*55 inch ; it has moreover 

 no spinous process above the arch, the summit of which stands two 

 inches below the point of the spinous process of the four ankylosed 

 vertebrae ; the parapophyses, although much larger than those of the 

 fourth cervical vertebra, stand on the same line with them. The sixth 

 cervical vertebra is a little broader than the preceding one ; there 

 is only an indication of a spinous process above the arch ; the parapo- 

 physes are well developed, and advauce half an inch beyond those of 

 the former vertebra. 



The seventh vetebra is slightly broader than the preceding one. 

 It has a distinct spinous crest standing two inches above the arch. 

 The lower process, or parapophysis, on each side has dwindled to a 

 narrow tubercle, sloping upwards ; the body of the bone has a well- 

 marked articular surface for the head of the first rib, on both sides, 

 which is situated between the well-marked upper transverse process 

 (diapophysis) and the small tubercle representing the lower transverse 

 process (parapophysis). These seven vertebrae have a length of 7'15 

 inches measured along the lower side of their main body. 



