PEOFESSOE PLOWEE ON EISSO'S DOLPHIN. 5 



the latter only imperfectly joined to the fifth. The bodies of the remainder are com- 

 pletely consolidated together. The spines of all seven are joined into a single conical 

 mass, flattened in front, and compressed from side to side posteriorly. Indistinct traces 

 of their original individuality may be seen on the sides of the laminae. The pedicles of 

 the arches are all distinct, with interspaces for the passage of the nerves ; but, with the 

 exception of the first and seventh, they are scarcely thicker than pieces of cardboard. 

 There is no foramen in the arch of the atlas for the passage of the suboccipital nerve, 

 but merely a shallow groove. The transverse process of the atlas is directed nearly 

 straight outwards, is stout, somewhat flattened from above downwards, and rounded at 



Fiff. 2. 



Side view of cervical vertebroB. |. 



the extremity ; that of the axis forms a small but distinct tubercle, projecting somewhat 

 backwards from the middle of the transverse process of the atlas ; that of the seventh is 

 long and slender, inclining forwards and downwards, its apex being but 0-2 of an inch 

 behind the end of the transverse process of the axis, and extending as far laterally. 

 The transverse processes of the intervening vertebrae are but slight triangular projections 

 from the roots of the flattened pedicles of the arches. The side of the body of the 

 seventh vertebra has a well-marked articular surface, which receives the head of the 

 first rib. Slight rough elevations on the bodies of the vertebrae in front of this, and 

 at a lower level, are all the indications shown of the inferior transverse processes 

 so commonly met with in this region in the Cetacea. The dimensions of these 

 vertebrae are': — 



' The cervical vertebrae most closely resemble those of Ommpus griseus figured by Van Bcnedcn and Gervais 

 (Osteographie des Cetaoes, pi. 54. figs. 8 & 8 a). 



