566 



CETACEA. 



the distinctive characters of the genus Balmioptera. However, the former, as has 

 ah-eady been noticed, is less than half the length of the latter. 



The skull of the Whale referred to by Blyth as existing in the Museum of the 

 Medical College, Calcutta, the measiirements of which (Table No. 3) are placed 

 alongside of those of the Sittang Whale (No. 2), appears to be specifically identical 

 with it, the length being only 5-75 inches greater ; and it is no more than 8-50 

 inches longer than the type of B. sclilegeli (No. 1). 



As the vertebral column of this Whale was saved, the condition of its 

 epiphyses has enabled me approximately to determine its age. The epiphyses of the 

 bodies of all the cervical and of the last fifteen caudal vertebrae have completely 

 amalgamated with their bodies ; all the epiphyses of the bodies of the remaining 

 vertebrae being in position, and more or less united to their bodies ; the only 

 epiphyses that have been lost are the posterior epiphyses of the second dorsal, the 

 epiphyses of the fourth dorsal, and the anterior epiphyses of the fifth dorsal. The 

 epiphyses of the spinous processes are all complete, and those of the humerus, radius 

 and ulna are also amalgamated with the shafts of their bones. From these facts, 

 therefore, it is apparent that this Whale is mature, and we may conclude that it never 

 exceeds 38 to 40 feet, half the length of B. inclica, but resembles in size the Whale 

 of Java, named B. schlegeli. This conclusion is, of course, based on the supposition 

 that the union of the epiphyses of the bones to their centra and shafts, indicates in 

 the Cetacea, as in other Mammals, that an animal presenting such characters has 

 attained its limit of growth. 



Now, if we compare some of the few bones and vertebrae which are all that 

 remain of the huge Balcenoptera with those in the Sittang Whale which correspond 

 to them and are in the exactly same stage of growth, the immense drfference in their 

 relative proportions will be readily perceived. 



Comparative measnrements of B. indica and B. edeni. 



Length of the rami of lower jaw 



„ „ radius 

 Breadth ,, ,, . . 



B, indiea. 



Inches. 



250-00 



35-60 



6-50 



B. edeni. 



Inches. 



113-25 



21-75 



3-65 



In the third caudal vertebra of the latter animal the amalgamation is quite as 

 complete as in the large Whale, and the comparative measurements are — 



Comparative measurements of B. indica and B. edeni. 



Extreme transverse measurement 



„ vertical „ ... 



Length of body with epiphyses 

 Height „ ,, 



Width „ „ , \ 



Extreme transverse measurement of neural canal 

 „ vertical 



