OCR Text |
Show 712 DR. H. BURMEISTER ON A NEW FINNER WHALE. [Juiie27, species than the sternum. As my figure gives a clear view of this bone, I will not describe it more, adding only the measurements. The length in the median line is 17 inches, and the transverse diameter in a straight line 13" ; the outside is curved downwards and very rough, the inside excavated and smoother. Of the twelve lumbar vertebrae, the first is 6 inches long, and the last 9 inches ; this vertebra is the largest of all. They have higher spinous processes than the dorsals, but shorter and broader lateral processes, this process of the ninth and tenth dorsal vertebra? being the longest of all, i. e. 1 foot. The spinous processes of the middle lumbar vertebrae are 17" high; but the lateral processes are only 9" long and 7" broad. They have all thin sharpened outer margins, not an expanded tip for the attachment of the ribs like the dorsals. The tail is composed of nineteen vertebrae, of which the twelve anterior are very strong, but the last six in the axis of the tail-fin extremely small. To the nine anterior caudal vertebrae are attached inferior spinous processes; on the following nine they are wanting. The transverse processes of the first are not perforated. The fifth is the last vertebra with an indication of such a process. The sixth, seventh, and eighth have short spinous processes ; but all the others are without either. As far as the thirteenth they have the body perforated. The six last are very small and of a peculiar triangular figure. The skeleton of the arm-fin is of the usual construction, but has also some peculiarities. The bladebone is rather large, 32 inches broad at the upper margin in a straight line, and 18" high from the glenoid cavity to the same margin. The acromion is 7" long, compressed, and somewhat curved above, with an attenuated end, which is not enlarged as usual in Whales. The coracoid process is, on the contrary, thicker at its end, and rounded like a club, and 4^" long. The very strong humerus is short, only 11" long ; but the forearm-bones are tolerably long, being 23", and the radius somewhat stronger than the ulna, which has a large olecranon like a high crest, of semicircular figure, which is surrounded by thick and strong cartilage. The carpal bones are seven on each side, all enclosed in thick cartilaginous matter, which united them with the forearm-bones and with the metacarpus of the fin. Two of these seem to be the free lower epiphyses of the radius and ulna, and the remaining five the true carpal bones. The hand has four fingers, wanting the first or thumb, as usual in the Fin-whales. Each finger has a large metacarpal bone, and the two outer ones two other osseous phalanges ; but the largest (second) finger has four phalanges, and the following three. There have been more cartilaginous articulations, but all these are lost. The first phalangeal bone of the second finger is the largest bone of the hand, being 5 inches long. They have no osseous epiphyses on either end, but have been united only by cartilaginous substance. W e have also the small bone of the pelvis, which is 7\ inches long and 1\ inch broad in the middle, and of a lanceolate form, being narrowed at both ends. No vestige of an attachment of another=bone |