4/2 DR. J. V. HAAST ON ZIPHIUS NOVjE-ZEALANDI.E. [June 6, 



Thoracic Vertebrae.. 



Their number, as before stated, is nine. In this respect the New- 

 Zealand species resembles Hijperodon, which, as far as I am aware, is 

 the onlv other known Ziphioid Whale having such a small number 

 of thoracic vertebrae. Each vertebra has a spine standing backwards 

 at an angle of GO degrees to the body of the vertebra. That of the 

 first one is pointed, 6-4 inches high, and 2'05 inches broad at the base. 

 Gradually these spinous processes rise higher and become broader at 

 the same time, that of the 9th or last thoracic vertebra being the 

 highest, 1 1 • 6 '2 inches, and 3*46 inches broad at the base. They are 

 all laterally compressed, thinning out at the top to a mere blade. 



The first two vertebrae possess on both sides of the arch a rounded 

 apophysis, on which the articular extremity for the tubercle is placed. 

 This apophysis gradually enlarges, being laterally compressed and 

 showing one well-marked process pointing upwards and forwards, as 

 well as the articulation for the tubercle for the rib, which is situated 

 more backward. 



On the seventh vertebra this separation of the apophysis is still more 

 conspicuous, whilst on the eighth vertebra a separation of that apo- 

 physis into two distinct portions has taken place, the forward or 

 superior process now appearing as the metapophysis, whilst its lower 

 or posterior portion forms now a lower transverse process, on which 

 the articular surface for the eighth rib is situated, directed obliquely 

 backwards. 



This lower transverse process is already situated in front, on the 

 body of the vertebra, but on its upper portion. This division is still 

 more conspicuous in the ninth or last thoracic vertebra, where the 

 metapophysis has nearly the same form as that on the first lumbar 

 vertebra, with the exception that its upper surface has a rounder in- 

 stead of a horizontal edge. The lower transverse process has a more 

 depressed, flattened form ; moreover it is situated not only in the 

 centre of the body of the vertebra, but also lower down and nearly 

 on the same level as the same process in the first lumbar vertebra. 



The bodies of the vertebrae gradually increase in size, the first 

 having an antero-posterior length of T65 inch, and the ninth, or last, 

 of 4*1 inches. 



The inferior surface of the first thoracic vertebra is rough and 

 rounded. The second, third, and a small portion of the anterior part 

 of the fourth have a shallow concave groove, after which on the fourth 

 a median keel appears, which continues to run along the rest, gradually 

 becoming more pronounced. 



Lumbar Vertebra;. 

 The nine thoracic vertebrae are succeeded by eleven lumbar 

 vertebrae, which nearly all possess the same form, attaining larger 

 dimensions as they follow each other, so that the body of the last is 

 the largest— viz. 5*48 inches for the first, and 7'58 inches for the 

 last lumbar vertebra. The spines are of considerable size, the first 

 being 13*25 inches high along its posterior margin; they then gra- 

 dually rise to the eighth, which is 1 5 • .5 2 inches high, after which 



