216 



Transactions. — Zoology. 



between the last lumbar and first caudal. It may, however, be possible 

 that the first chevron bones are so very rudimentary that they were not 

 secured at the time, in both instances, and that moreover they do not articu- 

 late with the posterior lower surface of the vertebra in question. Van 

 Beneden and ; Gervais state that the spinal processes augment in height 

 along the vertebral column to the first lumbar vertebra in M. hoops. No 

 information is offered on this point in their description of the skeleton of 

 M. lalandii. I found in the New Zealand specimen that the spinal pro- 

 cesses continue rising up to the third lumbar, which is 11 f inches high, the 

 first being lOf inches and the second 11 inches. 



The sternum, a rather thickish bone, is 

 9 \ inches high and 9 inches broad. It is 

 rounded at the top and pointed below. 

 One well-marked articulation exists on 

 each side for the attachment of the rib. 

 I have added a drawing (the inner side of 

 the bone) in illustration. 



The sternum of Megaptera on pi. ix. of 

 Van Beneden 's and Gervais' work varies 

 very much from ours, as it is more in the 

 form of a horseshoe, with its frontal part downwards, so that the open side 

 is at the top. 



The scapula, of which a correct draw- 

 ing of that of the left side also accom- 

 panies these notes, measures 29^ inches 

 in breadth by 21^ inches in height. It 

 does not possess the character of the 

 scapula figured by Van Beneden and 

 Gervais on page 183 of their previously- 

 cited work, where a well-marked acro- 

 mion is existing. 



Our specimen, although not totally 

 devoid of this character in the northern Megaptera, shows this only in a 

 very rudimentary degree. The spot whence the acromion starts in the 

 Balccnida is only very slightly swollen, so that a small curve is marked on 

 the outline of the bone. There is no sign of a coracoid. 



The drawing of the scapula on plate ix. of the atlas belonging to the 

 same work is however more in accordance with the bone of the New Zea- 

 land specimen. 



