| OCR Text |
Show 484 DR. J. v. HAAST O N MESOPLODON FLOWERI. [June 6, are missing ; but they are also strongly laterally compressed. There are nine chevron bones, of which the last is missing. With the eleventh vertebra the second series of the caudal vertebrae begins, which in form greatly resemble those of the New-Zealand Epiodon. Ribs. There are ten ribs on each side, of which seven have two articulations and the last three only one. The first is the shortest of the whole series with the exception of the last; it is also the broadest. There is scarcely a sign of an articular process for its articulation with the seventh cervical vertebra, and only a very slightly marked articular surface for the transverse process, both being indicated by a small indentation on the edge of the head of the rib. The second rib has the same flattened form as the first; it is longer, and both articulating processes are better-defined. From the second to the sixth rib, they gradually lengthen, after which they diminish again a little until we reach the tenth, which is the shortest of the whole series. The third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh ribs have all well defined articulating processes and nearly the same form, flattened at and near their head, after which, for nearly one third of their total length, they become more constricted and assume a prismoid shape, after which they flatten and gain again in breadth, their terminal end being, however, narrower. The eighth and ninth ribs, which have only one articulating process foi their junction with the transverse process, have the same form as the foregoing if we imagine their heads and necks removed. The tenth rib is flattened throughout; it has also only one articulating surface, and at its posterior end runs out to a point. The greatest length of each rib, measured in a straight line, is :- feet, inches. First 1 2*75 Second 1 9*50 Third ** 2 1*60 Fourth 2 4*10 Fifth , 2 4*25 Sixth 2 480 Seventh 2 4*60 Eighth 2 3*50 Ninth 2 3*03 Tenth 10*25 Sternum. The sternum consists of four principal segments, of which the fourth and smallest is separated into a left and a right portion by a division in the centre, which apparently would not have disappeared by ankylosis in a still more aged state of the skeleton. The first segment is the largest and broadest; it is without a keel, but is well rounded towards the central line. There is a deep exca- |
