by Frank E. Beddard. 137 
the shape, size, and proportions of the left complete blowhole in the two 
older foetus. We now come to the evidence of the original double 
character of both. While the small foetus shows clear evidence of a 
double (right as well as left) blowhole, there is very slight evidence of 
this in the middle sized foetus. The single blowhole in fact reaches but a 
a short way on to the right side. It is to be noted, therefore, that the 
peculiar ,/ shape of the left blowhole in the older feetus and in the adult 
indicate, by the anterior curve of the slit, the former presence of a second 
blowhole; it is precisely this lower region of the blowhole which appears 
to be really a vestige of the otherwise missing right slit. There is, 
however, in the foetus of ten inches nothing further to be observed in 
the way of a prolongation on to the right side. On again scrutinizing 
carefully the blowhole in the largest foetus, which I have figured on 
p. 113 of the memoir already quoted, I can find no fault with the 
drawing which was made under my supervision. But on showing the 
actual fcetus to a colleague, it was suggested that the alleged right 
blowhole of that figure was merely a crack in the skin such as un- 
doubtedly occur in this foetus and to which reference has already been 
made in the case of the eye. This may be the case with this other 
organ too; but the matter is difficult to decide. In favour of this 
suggestion is the certain absence of a conspicuous right blowhole in 
the intermediate sized foetus. Against it, the undoubted presence of a 
similar furrow in the youngest embryo whose skin was nowhere 
furrowed accidentally. Indeed, I think that no one will hesitate to 
allow that in this youngest foetus there is plain evidence of two 
separate or nearly separate nostrils which are inequisized, the right being 
actually the longer, and which are only slightly connected in front by 
a very shallow furrow. However the matter is to be looked at, there 
are evidently missing stages in the development of the nostrils 
culminating in the,/ shaped organ of the adult animal. ‘There are, 
as I think, two possible views which are now to be considered. As 
already mentioned, the, as it would appear, decidedly single blowhole 
of the individual of ten inches in length has the form of that of the 
adult whale. When it is closely examined and the two lips of the 
slit divaricated, a kind of septum or projecting pad is seen to divide 
it into two fairly equal parts. I take this projection to be the septum 
described and figured by Prof. Benham in the Pygmy Sperm Whale 
Euphysetes.* The same structure is also figured by Dr. Muriety 
* Proc. Zool. Soc., 1901, Pl. VIII, figs. 1, 2. 
+ On the Organisation of the Caaing Whale, Globicephalus melas, Trans, 
Zool. Soc, VII, Pl. XXXII, fig, 27, Sp. 
