370 ziPHius CHAP. 



Zipldus is a genus which is also of world-wide range. Here 

 again the number of species is at present merely a matter of 

 opinion. The prevalent impression, however, is that but a 

 single species exists, which will tlierefore have tlie name of 

 Z. carirostris. The genus (and for the matter of that the species 

 too) may be thus characterised in comparison with its allies. 

 The mesethmoid is ossified as in Mesujilodon, but the nasals joined 

 together form the vertex of the skull. There are two teeth near 

 the symphysis of the mandible, besides the usual small and 

 " fanctionless " teeth in tlie upper jaw. The vertebral formula is 

 C 7, D 9 or 10, L 11, Ca 1^1. 



The throat of a Zvphius from New Zealand was described by 

 ^Messrs. Scott and Parker ^ as having three grooves on each side. 

 Whether tliis form is the same as von Haast's Z. novae, zclandine 

 is a matter of doubt ; but the individual to which his name has 

 been applied was 26 feet long, and had but a single groove on 

 each side. Even in the external characters of many Whales many 

 points require clearing up. Our knowledge of Ziphius dates from 

 the year 1804, when a skull " completely petrified in appearance " 

 was picked up upon tlie ilediterranean coast of France, and 

 described by the great Cuvier. It was forty years before another 

 specimen was found. In tlie Xew Zealand specimen of von 

 Haast already referred to, tlie body was scored by numerous 

 lacerations. These wounds may have been due to fights among 

 the AVhales tliemselves ; the forwardly-situated teeth would be 

 capable of inflicting such wounds. But it has also been stated 

 tliat tlie armed suckers of gigantic cuttle-fislr are responsible for 

 tliese scratches. 



Hijpcroiuhiii is the most easily - distinguishable genus of 

 Ziphioid Whales. Its characters are the followinig : — The skull 

 has enormously-developed maxillary crests in the adult male ; tlie 

 mesethmoid is not fully ossified. There is but a single tocjth to 

 each ramus of tire lower jaw, besides, of course, the usual small 

 teeth in the upper jaw. The vertebral formula is C 7, D 9, L 9, 

 Ca 18. The cervicals are fused into one mass, more or fewer 

 being free in otlier Ziphioids. Tlie sternum consists of three 

 pieces only, the last of which is bifid posteriorly. 



The name Hijjirroodon was given to tliis Whale by Colonel 

 Lacepede on account of the rough papillae upon the palate, which 



^ Trans. Zool. Sor. xii. 1889, ]i. 241. 



