187C.] A YOUNG PELPHINUS ALBIROSTRIS. G83 



such a prominent feature in the Great-Grimsby specimen. Again, 

 the sides are deep hlack over their whole extent ; and if we divide the 

 animal represented in Brightwell's figure into two equal parts by a 

 middle vertical line, we find that the anterior border of the dorsal 

 fin lies tt an inch behind this line, which in the specimen itself would 

 represent a distance of 7 inches*. In the Great-Grimsby Dolphin 

 the middle vertical line passed through the dorsal fin, dividing it 

 unequally, 2 inches lying in front and 8 inches behind it. 



Indeed, with the exception of the white snout, the figure of this 

 animal given by Brightwell, and reproduced by Gray and Bell, presents 

 not a single feature in common with the Great-Grimsby Dolphin. 



At first, not fully recognizing the fact that the authors I have 

 mentioned in connexion with this species had borrowed their details 

 from Brightwell, the original describer, and that any inaccuracy on 

 the part of the latter would consequently be reproduced by the 

 others, I was induced to consider the Great-Grimsby specimen a 

 new species, and this in the face of many essential points of simi- 

 larity between the skeletal peculiarities of it and D. allirostris. 

 I have been deterred from doing this by my attention being re- 

 directed by Prof. Flower to another and independent account of this 

 species by Prof. Van Beneden j\ This memoir I had at first been in- 

 clined to regard as of small value, so far as my wants were concerned, 

 seeing that it differed so greatly in its facts from the writings of the 

 authors I have mentioned, and in whom, at the time, I was placing 

 implicit trust, and also owing to a certain discrepancy which existed 

 between Van Beneden's description and his accompanying figure, 

 which made me doubtful as to the accuracy of the whole. But a 

 more careful study of it, and looking at the plate more as a guide to 

 the general outline of the body than as a representation of the 

 markings, I was able to establish certain features in common between 

 it and the specimen I have described ; moreover my faith in Bright- 

 well's description and figure has been much shaken. 



The drawing given by Van Beneden shows an animal somewhat 

 blunter about the head than that represented by Brightwell, and 

 with a slight approach to the hum]) close to the tail ; but then the 

 lower lip does not project beyond the upper, and the dorsal fin lies 

 altogether in front of the middle vertical line, which corresponds to 

 its posterior margin. The markings are also peculiar and do not in 

 every respect agree with the accompanying letterpress description. 



* The animal measured 8 feet, whilst in the drawing it occupies a space of 

 7 inches; \ an inch in the latter therefore would be equal to 7 inches in the 

 specimen itself. But this does not agree with the accompanying letterpress, in 

 which it is stated, that from the tip of the nose to the dorsal fin (he animal 

 measured 3 feet 5 inches, and that the base of this fin was llj inches long. 

 According to these measurements, therefore, 8 inches of the fin must have been 

 in front of. and 3 inches behind the middle vertical line. In reproducing the 

 drawing Gray must have noticed this inaccuracy and adopted a middle course; 

 for in his figure the dorsal fin lies immediately behind the middle vertical line; 

 and this is the only respect in which his plate differs from Brightwell's. 



t Van Beneden, " Beeherches sur les Oetaces," Nouv. Mem. de I'Acad. R. de 

 Bruxelles. t. xxxii. 1862. 



