— 129 — 



a more pronounced character than is met with in most illustrations from Balae- 

 noptera physahis and Balaenoptera musculus; also the caracoid process is well- 

 developed. 



The pectoral flipper (fig. 41 & 42) from the shoulder-joint to the tip 

 of the 2nd digit, has a length of 332 c.M., i.e. 12 % of the total length of 

 the body, which is rather short for fin-whales in general. 



The measurements of the various bones is as follows: 



Length of Humerus 69 c.M. 



Length of Radius 121 „ 



Length of Ulna 126 „ 



The length of the metacarpalia taken in the order from the radius to 

 the ulna is: 



1st metacarpal 28 c.M. 



2nd metacarpal 35 „ 



3rd metacarpal 29 „ 



4th metacarpal 18 „ 



Since the illustration of the skeleton of the anterior extremity shows the 

 forms more clearly than could be done by means of a description, a few 

 remarks only are subjoined here. 



In the place where the humerus, radius and ulna come together, the 

 epiphyses are firmly consolidated with the bones, so that it is hardly possible 

 to recognize seams or sutures. The very compact articulation here joining 

 the bones, is still strengthened by connective tissue, so that not only is the 

 junction between those three big bones sufficiently guaranteed, but even the 

 idea of coalescence is suggested. 



The lower epiphyses of the ulna and radius have not yet coalesced but 

 exist as disconnected more or less cartilaginous pieces. The great width of 

 the radius and curve of the ulna are both features that also belong to Balaenop- 

 tera musculus L. Of the proximal part of the ulna the end that points backward 

 when the flipper hangs down shows a rough excrescence, continued by a 

 large cartilaginous part running to a point and having a rearward and down- 

 ward direction; in the illustration it is shaded a little darker. 



The carpus consists of a number of little bones enclosed in a mass of 

 connective tissue which is liable to strong shrinking in desiccation, thereby 

 necessarily modifyng the relative positions of the carpalia. In view of this 



