24 



The cranium was of colossal bulk and weight, exceeding in this respect 

 that of the Mysticetse, at least ten times. To enable me to remove the cranium 

 from the beach at North Berwick, I had it raised on a frame, and made a 

 transverse section in front of the nostrils ; and secondly, a longitudinal section 

 of the cranium, thus allowing me to remove the upper jaw with the baleen in 

 sit4, and also obtain a cast of the brain. 



3. Rorqualus minor, Knox. 



I am enabled to refer to an original drawing of this animal, witli which, 

 to me, an interesting history is connected. (See Plate 2a., Fig. 3.) In the 

 month of February, 1834 (whilst engaged in the preparation of the Rorqualus 

 major), a notice was placarded and extensively circulated throughout Edin- 

 bui'gh, that a monster had been caught in the Firth of Forth, near Queen's 

 Ferry, and was exhibited. I formed one of the number of the visitors — 

 although naturally a lover of the " beautiful," and, consequently, disliking the 

 sight of monsters. Notwithstanding that great efforts had been made to dis- 

 figure it, I recognized a specimen of the Balsenidse, I made the purchase, and 

 within a few hours there were grouped around the interesting stranger, such 

 men as the late Professor Edward Forbes, Professor John Goodsir, Sir W. 

 Ferguson, and Sir Geo. Ballingall, and it was determined to have a drawing 

 of the specimen. It was suggested that by suspending it horizontally, as in 

 swimming, a much more accurate likeness would be obtained. This was 

 accordingly forthwith accomplished, and Forbes undertook to be draughtsman. 

 The effort resulted in realizing more than our most sanguine expectations. 

 The specimen was evidently that of a young animal, but having obtained the 

 magnificent likeness, it immediately occupied the attention of the practical 

 anatomist, and nearly every part was preserved. The preparation of the 

 skeleton was a work of much labour (notwithstanding its comparative small 

 size) more especially in preserving the baleen in situ. All, however, was 

 ultimately accomplished, and the entire comparative anatomy was presented to 

 the Museum of the University of Edinburgh. 



The following notes were made of the recent specimen and skeleton : — 



Weight . . . .■'.-.. . . . 500 lbs. 



Snout to tip of tail . . . . . 13 feet ■ 



Greatest circumference . . . . 8ft. 6in 



SKELETON. 



Snout to occipital foramen 



Length of spinal column .... 



Total length of skeleton . . ■ . 10 



VERTEBRJE. 



Cervical . . . . . . . .7 



Dorsal . 11 



Lumbar and Caudal . . . . . .30 



Total number . . . . . 48 



Sternal 

 A. Sternal 



Pairs 11 



