276 LILLJEBORG ON THE 



2nd — 11 til are directed forward. Those of the 12th also forward, and those of the 1st and 2nd 

 caudal vertebras are directed straight out. Those of the succeeding caudal vertebrae, that have 

 lateral processes, viz., the 3rd — 6th, are directed forward. None of the dorsal vertebræ are ridged 

 on the lower side of the corpus. All the lumbosacral vertebræ have a longitudinal keel, but it is 

 quite low on the first four. The first caudal vertebra is ridged below, but this ridge is longitudi- 

 nally furrowed. The succeeding caudal vertebræ are concave along the lower side of the corpus. 

 The middle lumbosacral vertebræ have the longest processus spinosi. The lateral processes of these 

 vertebræ are the longest on the anterior ones, and decrease in length towards the tail. The 8th 

 caudal vertebra is the last that has a processus spinosus. The last 3 caudal vertebræ are missing 

 in this skeleton. The number of caudal vertebræ is otherwise IS. Eschricht has found this 

 number, as well as the number of vertebræ generally, constant in all specimens which he 

 examined. Kroyer has found the same, and I counted the same number on a skeleton in Bergen.^ 

 It may therefore be presumed that, when a smaller number is stated, it is in consequence of a defi- 

 ciency or incompleteness in the skeleton." The processus spinosi inferiores are 9, the 2ud of which 

 is the largest, and the 1st has the point strongly directed backwai'ds. The sternum is somewhat 

 oblique, and has the form of an oblong cross, with the posterior process or ramus the longest, and 

 the lateral processes placed nearer the fore-end, where the manubrium projects considerably. 

 The ribs are slender, but rather long. The 1st pair, which are the widest, are not forked, and 

 their lower end is rather dilated. The 4th and 5th pairs are the longest, and almost equal. All 

 the ribs are rather thin and compressed at their lower end. All are articulated only with pro- 

 cessus transversi, but the 3rd and 4th pairs have a rather conspicuous capitulum and tuberculum, 

 although their collum is not distinctly limited behind.^ The 1st ribs unite with the sternum 

 behind its lateral processes, according to Eschricht's observations. The scapula resembles 

 very closely that of the preceding species. Its width is not quite 1| its length. The acromion is 

 far separated from the processus coronoideus, and forms a very acute angle with the fore edge of 

 the upper part of the scapula. The radius and the ulna incline somewhat backwards, and the 

 former is perceptibly wider than the latter. The carpal bones are three in the upper, and two in 



^ [Dr. Koran, of Bergen, had informed me, by letter, that a male of this species has been recently 

 caught there which had 12 dorsal vertebræ, 13 pairs of ribs, and in all 49 vertebræ, and 11 processus 

 spinosi inferiores. It was 28' in length. -^1865.] 



^ There is a skeleton described in ' Skandinavisk Fauna,' which was obtained from the museum in 

 Bergen through the late Acad. Adj. v. Diibea, and in which there are said to be 10 dorsal, 13 lumbar, 

 and 17 caudal vertebræ, thus, with the 7 cervical, in all 47 vertebræ. The dorsal vertebræ were con- 

 sidered 10, because there were only 10 pairs of ribs ; but I have been informed by Dr. Koren of 

 Bergen that this specimen had also 11 pairs of ribs, and consequently 11 dorsal vertebræ, as he 

 particularly knew that the 11th pair of ribs belonging to the skeleton had been destroyed in Bergen. 

 The lumbosacral vertebræ were estimated at 13, by the last dorsal vetebra having been counted among 

 them. That the caudal vertebræ are stated to be only 17, is certainly in consequence of the last, 

 which is very small, being absent. 



^ Eschricht is of the opinion that the ribs generally in the whalebone whales are without 

 capitulum and collum, but that these exist, even if the capitulum is not articulated with the corpus 

 vertebræ, is quite apparent on certain ribs of some whalebone whales, for instance Balænoptera robusta 

 and Balæna mysticetus, in which the tuberculum arises high and is separated by a long collum from 

 the capitulum, which is almost articulated with the corpus vertebræ. 



