THE RIGHT WHALE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC. 905 
laminze from the 1st to the 3rd, but the laminz of the 4th to the 6th were free. The 
lamine of the axis formed a plate 6} inches broad (fig. 6). The spine and laminz 
of the 7th cervical were not fused with the 6th. 
The transverse processes had several interesting features. In the Atlas a massive 
process, not perforated, represented the diapophysis or superior transverse process of 
the vertebra (fig. 7). It was fused near its outer end with a corresponding process 
of the axis, which arose by two roots, of which the anterior joined the above process 
of the atlas, whilst the posterior was fused with the superior transverse process of the 
3rd vertebra; the roots were distinct at their origin, and bounded an ovoid foramen 
2 inches in diameter. The superior transverse process of the 3rd was also fused with 
one from the 4th cervical. That from the 5th was partially fused with one from the 
6th, and in these cases an elongated ovoid foramen intervened, where the fusion was 
incomplete. The superior transverse process of the 7th was not fused and was broad 
at its outer end. 
In the Atlas the inferior transverse process or parapophysis, 44 inches long, was 
situated 2 inches below the flattened superior process. ‘That from the Axis projected 
for 4 inches from the body. The. corresponding inferior processes from the 3rd and 
4th vertebrae were not symmetrical on opposite sides. The right side of the 3rd 
possessed a slender inferior process 4 inches long, which was fused at its outer end with 
the corresponding process of the axis. From the right side of the body of the 4tha 
tubercle about an inch long represented the inferior transverse process; the 3rd and 
4th cervicals had no corresponding inferior processes on the left side, and the 5th, 6th, 
and 7th had none on either side of the body. The outer ends of both the diapophyses 
and parapophyses were free, and in no vertebra did they join to form a large lateral 
foramen, on the side of the cervical spine, which, in the adult Baleenopteride, were 
occupied by the arterial meshwork of the rete mirabile.* 
Dorsal Region.—Fourteen vertebrz possessed costal articular surfaces. Those on the 
ist dorsal were relatively thin at the free end of each transverse process. The 2nd and 
3rd dorsals had similar articular surfaces. In the 4th to the 10th the transverse process 
was thickened and articular at its free end, and in addition a distinct costal articular 
surface was present on each side of the body near its posterior border. The 11th to 
the 14th had no costal surfaces on the sides of the body, the 11th and 12th transverse 
processes, broad, flat, and long, had each a costal articulation at its outer end; in the 
13th and 14th dorsals the transverse processes, also articular, were long and narrow, 
and thickened at the end. The spines of the dorsal vertebra were as a rule large plates 
flattened laterally and truncated at the free end, but the 1st to the 3rd were somewhat 
pointed. The anterior articular processes were strong and directed forwards and upwards. 
The ventral surface of the body from the 7th to the 12th had an antero-posterior 
mesial ridge. 
As regards dimensions, the dorsal vertebrze increased in size from before backwards. 
* See my memoir on Balznoptera sibbaldi (op. cit.), 1870. 
TRANS. ROY. SOC. EDIN., VOL. XLVIII., PART IV. (NO. 33). 134 
