637 
of Edinburgh, Session 1871 - 72 . 
first pair of costal facets, 40 inches ; at second pair, 22 inches ; 
at third pair, 18 inches; at fourth pair, 14 inches. This bone had 
attained a more complete stage of ossification than had previously 
been described or figured in the sternum of this cetacean. 
The length of the third transverse segment of the sternum being 
19 inches, I examined it carefully to see if any evidence of a sub- 
division into smaller segments could be detected, but without 
success. Moreover, I find that Professor Flower has met with 
Outline sketch of the superior surface of the sternum of the 
Skye sperm-whale. 
great differences in the length of the terminal segment of this 
bone in the specimens which he has examined. In one from 
Tasmania the length was 14f inches, whilst in the Caithness 
Cachalot the hinder piece is represented by a median spheroidal 
nodule of bone, 4 inches in diameter, imbedded in dried cartilage. 
The terminal piece of the sternum is therefore variable in its 
dimensions, and the greater length in the Skye specimen is without 
doubt due to the age of the animal having rendered possible com- 
plete ossification of the terminal cartilage. 
That the animal had reached its full growth and attained the 
4 Q 
VOL. VII. 
