ŢȚ 
434 Transactions: —Zoology. 
As there is scarcely any difference between the two teeth, I give only the 
figure of one of them (Pl. XXIV., Fig. 3, C. front, C'. back, C’. section), 
the left one, which is 2°12 inches long, with the greatest breadth about the 
centre of 0-72 inch. It weighs 184 grains, and runs out at both ends to 
a constricted rounded point, that of the apex being the narrowest. It will 
thus be seen that the weight of this tooth, although it belongs to a skull 
of larger dimensions than the one obtained from the Chatham Islands, 
described by Dr. Hector, is scarcely the fourth of the weight which the 
teeth of the latter have. It is, moreover, evident that the teeth of the 
Chatham Island specimen must have been used, as, according to the 
description, **they are worn down into two lateral facets, divided by an 
acute ridge, * whilst in the New Zealand specimens the tips are as rough as 
the sides and roots, and do not show the least sign of wear. We know 
that the two skulls of the New Zealand specimens belong to female 
skeletons, whilst the skull of the Chatham Island specimen may possibly 
have been that of a male, but as we have not the least evidence in that 
respect, this point can only be settled by future researches into the 
anatomical characteristics of this interesting genus. 
Returning to the skeleton under consideration, I wish to state that the 
teeth were only visible after maceration, and appear to be altogether func- 
tionless, because the lower jaw projects so much beyond the rostrum; unless 
we assume that the Whale had an upper lip of a somewhat prehensile 
character. On the upper margin, all along the anterior half of each ramus, 
a well-defined groove extends to the dental canal at the anterior extremity 
where it is broadest. A considerable number of small vascular canals open 
into this groove, without, however, showing the least rudiment of teeth. 
The coronoid process is marked very feebly, but the condyle is well 
developed, and forms the most posterior portion of the bone. 
I may here observe that the skull of Epiodon nove zealandie resembles 
in some respects that of Epiodon australe of South America, notwithstanding 
the difference in the form of the head, the former having a swollen and the 
latter a tapering forehead. In many instances, Professor Burmeister's 
excellent description of some of its osteological characters could be applied 
quite well to the New Zealand species. 
Hyoid Bones. 
The basihyal and the thyrohyals are still unanchylosed, notwithstanding 
the great age of the animal. The former has a somewhat trapezoidal form, 
thus resembling in that respect the same bone in Epiodon australe, but it is 
more pointed in its anterior portion, and has a deep notch in the centre, 
* See “ Trans. N.Z. Inst.,” Vol. Y., p. 165. 
