290 DE. J. MUEIE ON THE ORGANIZATION OP THE CAAING WHALE. 



it and its fellow of the other side ; but posteriorly the two meet mesially, and as they 

 diminish in calibre are fixed to the chevron bones as far as the vertebrae. 



X. Eeflections, Zoological, ast> Physiological. 



The skeleton, as I have intimated, is the standard whereby Cetacean generic segre- 

 gation and affinities are best tested; consequently such parts of the organization of 

 Globkeps as have been here treated, afford narrow limits in their applicability to 

 taxonomy. One's eyes, however, must not be shut to the fact that among the Del- 

 phinidse Glohiocephalus seems to be established generically by its outward configuration 

 alone, unless Dr. Gray's Splicer ocephalns^ assimilates; but the exterior aspect of this 

 form is unknown. The truncate, globose, prenarial nodosity, fairly defined from the 

 upper labial rim, the unusually long, narrow, tenuous pectoral limbs, and the low, 

 falcate dorsal fin are very marked features in the genus under present consideration. 

 The head of Orca and its ally Pseudorca, whilst rounded, is proportionally low ; and 

 their limbs and dorsal appendage sensibly differ. Grampus approaches our genus ; but 

 the facial prominence veers towards the outline of Phoccena, or with a gradual arched 

 declivity, rather than the bold perpendicular fulness and labial emargination of Globio- 

 cephalus ; besides, its dorsal fin is relatively high, and its limbs shorter and broader. 

 Phoccena and the Dolphins [Delphinus &c.) are yet further removed in the points 

 above indicated. Such differences, I grant, are gradational ; but so are all osteological 

 data. Within the limits of just comparison, however, they are not fanciful, but visually 

 true, and have their special worth in the outward generic recognition of a group 

 uncommonly like each other in their tout ensemble. 



Eight species of GJobiocephalus are recognized in the British-Museum Catalogue, and 

 other synonyms &c. enumerated. My worthy friend Dr. Gray's method of recording 

 scattered writers' indifferently determined species is decidedly useful, but not without 

 objections. He himself allows that such handy lists require constant supervision. 



His G. affinis, he surmises, is probably a young G. svineval{:=G. melas). This opinion 

 one can readily admit; for, unless in non-agreement of dental formula, there is no 

 special characteristic to assign a separation. Now the numbers of the teeth in different 

 specimens of Globiceps are most irregular, simply from the reason that they are so 

 loosely implanted in their sockets that in early life, adolescence, and old age they not 

 unfrequently drop out. But what is the Grampus affinis^ p. 300, Cat. 1 The presumed 

 anatomical distinctions of the American Globiocephalus intermedius rest on treacherous 

 footing. To it fifty-eight vertebrae are assigned against fifty-five to the European form ; 

 yet in G. melas there obtain fifty-eight and fifty-nine, as authenticated by Professor 

 Flower (Trans. Zool. Soc. vi. p. 349). Too much stress, I think, is laid on the cervical 

 ossification of the former ; and as to difference in dentition, the above remarks apply. 

 G. edwardsii has no solid basis as a species. Regarding the South-Sea Blackfish 

 ' P. Z. S. 1864, p. 244, and Cat. of Seals and Whales, 1866, p. 323. 



