PROVINCIAL MUSEUM HALIFAX, X. S. — PERKINS. 161 



ingtoii, for the same jinrpose. Here Dr. True was most help- 

 ful, as has already heen noted. A series of ])hotograph3 of the 

 periotie of the Vermont specimen was examined by him, and 

 he re})orts as follows : " The periotie of D. rennontanus appears 

 to indicate that the species is distinct from Jeucas. The prin- 

 cipal differences are that in the fonner the petrosal is larger, 

 the poms acusticus intemus also larger and differently shaped, 

 the posterior process of the petrous ])orti<in much longer and 

 more pointed, the anterior ])rocess more ronnded, the fenestra 

 cochlea.^ larger. I cannot see that the vertebrae of rermontanus 

 present any tangible differences of im]>ortance. The neural 

 arch of the axis appears to be differently shaped, Init this is 

 probably due to its imperfect condition. The vertical foramina 

 in the sides of the centra of the caudals appear smaller, but 

 there is considerable variation in tliis character. The coracoid 

 process of the scapula is narrow at the end, but this is also 

 varial)le. I think the ulna is straigliter. It is really necessary 

 in identifying such material to exami'ne the suecimens thetn- 

 selves," 



As to wliat Dr. True notices in respect to the neural areli of 

 the axis, it nuiy be well to say that th'is vertebra in the Vermont 

 specimen does not seem to have been liroken to any such extent 

 as to change its form, especially that of tlu^ u])per border of the 

 spine, from that of D. Jeucas to that Avhich it now has. 

 In all specimens of the recent species which I have seen, ihc 

 upper portion of the spine slftpes rapidly from l)nck down to the 

 front, wliile in 1). vciiiioiiianiix it is nearly horizontal, that is, 

 it has little slant from the back to the front edge. 



The liyoid, too, is much more cylindrical in the thyrohyal 

 portion. Of course it may lie said that xwo-ri or all of these 

 characters are subject to individual variation in the cetacea, b\it 

 allowing for this it seems ])robal)l(» that some at least of these 

 characters are constant and nuiy be regarded as at least varietal 

 if not specific. It apjiears, then, that Thompson was justified 

 in C'tablisliing the species rcrnionlinius. 



