On two subfossil Whales discovered in Sweden. 



13 



6. Genus MEGAPTERA , J. Gray. 



Form of the body thick and compact, with long pectoral fins, provided 

 with undulated margins; and a low dorsal Jin, posited at the beginning of 

 the posterior third of the bodys length. Processus coracoideus and acromion 

 rudimentary or wanting, and processus coronoideus low but clearly recogni- 

 zable. First pair of ribs single and undivided at upper end. Number of ver- 

 tebrae 52 — 53. Lateral processes of atlas compressed, and situated above the 

 middle of the sides. None of the cervical vertebrae have annular lettered pro- 

 cesses , and sometimes a pair of them has more or less grown together. Num- 

 ber of ribs 14 pairs. 



This is the most aberrant generic form to be found in tlie family of 

 the Balaenopteridac, and in its thick form of body and short vertebrae it seems 

 to betray an approach to the Balaenidae. The type of the genus is the Ba- 

 laena boops FABRICIUS or Balaena longimana RuDOLPHl from the North-Sea 

 and Nothern Icy Ocean. We have moreover Megaptera Lalandii (Fischer) 

 from the seas around the Cape of Good Hope, and Megapt. Osphyia E. D. 

 Cope 1 ), from the sea to the East of the United States, and Gray enume- 

 rates besides four uncertain species, namely M. Novae Zelandiae Gray* 

 from New Zealand, M.? Burmeisteri Gray, from the Ocean at Buenos Ayres, 

 M. Americana Gray, from the Bermuda Isles, and M. Kuzira Gray, from 

 the Japannese Waters. 



2. Family Balaenidae, J. Gray. 



No dorscd Jin: iinder surface of body without grooves; whiskers long, 

 fine and little if at all bent, the greater portion at least of the cervical verte- 

 brae united <Sfc. 



1. Genus BALAENA, Linne. 



Mouthopening , viewed from the side, forming a regidar arch. First 

 piair of ribs with upper end single. Bladebone with both acromion and 

 processus coracoideus plainly visibles. Intermaxillary bone at the upper surface 

 of the cranial snout but little broader than the up>per jawbones. The anterior 

 ribs with the lower end somewhat thin and compressed, and the number of 

 ribs 13 pairs. The ichiskers tcith a single row of fine bristles on the border. 



We have as yet certain knowledge of only one species of this genus, 



') Proceedings of the Academy of Natural sciences of Philadelphia. 18G5. p. 168. 



