ME. W. H. FLOWEE ON THE OSTEOLOGY OP THE SPEEM-WHALE. 



337 



spicuous and important process on the neui-al arch, corresponding with those which in 

 the lumbar region form such a characteristic feature in the Cetacean vertebral column. 

 Owen has pointed out, in the description of the skeleton of Beljjhinus delphis (Cat. 

 Osteol. Prep. Mus. Roy. Coll. Surg. vol. ii. p. 45U), that these processes belong to the 

 metapophyses of his system, as, although near their commencement they bear the 

 so-called prozygapophyses, they soon become distinct from them. This is less readily 

 demonstrated in the Sperm-Whale. 



Upper transverse processes for the articulation of the tubercles of the ribs [diapo- 

 Fig. 5. Fig. 6. 



Eighth dorsal vertebra, cijiphysis removed. 



Ninth dorsal vertebra. 



physes) exist from the first to the tenth vertebra inclusive, arising in all from the side of 

 the neurapophysis, at nearly the same height throughout. They gradually decrease in 



Eig. 7. 



Tenth dorsal vertebra 



length from the first to the tenth (see PI. LVIII.). The first is compressed from before 

 backwards ; the next two subcylindrical ; the following four are very short, thick, and 



