436 Transactions.— Zoology. 
no spinous process above the arch, the summit of which stands two inches 
below the point of the spinous process of the four anchylosed vertebre. 
The parapophyses, although much larger than those of the fourth cervical 
vertebra, stand on the same line with them. 
The sixth cervical vertebra is a little broader than the preceding one. 
There is only an indication of a spinous process above the arch; the para- 
pophyses are well developed, and advance half an inch beyond those of the 
former vertebra. 
The seventh vertebra is slightly broader than the preceding one. It has 
a distinct spinous crest standing two inches above the arch. The lower 
process, or parapophyses, on each side, has dwindled to a narrow tubercle, 
sloping upwards; the body of the bone has a well-marked articular surface 
for the head of the first rib on both sides, which is situated between the 
well-marked upper transverse process (diapophysis) and the small tubercle 
representing the lower transverse process (parapophysis). These seven 
vertebre have a length of 7:15 inches, measured along the lower side of their 
main body. 
Thoracic Vertebre. 
Their number, as before stated, is nine, consequently one less than 
Fpiodon australe possesses. In this respect the New Zealand species re- 
sembles Hyperoodon, which, as far as I am aware, is the only other known 
Ziphioid Whale having such a small number of thoracic vertebre. Each 
vertebra has a spine standing backwards at an angle of 60? to the body 
of the vertebra. That of the first one is pointed, 6-40 inches high and 
2:58 inches broad at the base. Gradually these spinous processes rise 
higher, and become broader at the same time, that of the ninth or last 
thoracic vertebra being the highest, 11:62 inches and 8:46 inches broad at 
the base. They are all laterally compressed, thinning out at the top to a 
mere blade. 
The first two vertebre possess on both sides of the arch a rounded 
apophysis on which the articular extremity for the tubercle is placed. This 
apophysis gradually enlarges, being laterally compressed and showing one 
well marked process pointing upwards and forward, as well as the articula- 
tion for the tubercle for the rib, which is situated more backwards. 
On the seventh vertebra this separation of the apophysis is still more con- 
spicuous, whilst in the eighth vertebra a separation of that apophysis in two 
distinct portions has taken place, the forward or superior process now ap- 
pearing as the metapophysis, whilst its lower or posterior portion forms 
now a lower transverse process, on which the articular surface for the 
eighth rib is situated directed obliquely backwards. This lower transverse 
process is already situated in front on the body of the vertebra, but on its 
upper portion. 
