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Show 246 LETTER FROM MR. J. H.THOMSON. [Mai*. 14, of Antilope gutturosa (Spic. Zool. vii. 14, t. 2, 3. f. 14-17). The horns are like those of Gazella dorcas, but rather longer and with more numerous and closer rings. The " Yellow Sheep of Mongolia" (Procapra gutturosa) is known from the nearly allied " G o a " of Tibet (Procapra picticauda of Hodgson) by its larger size and the shortness and thickness of the horns, which have their tips turned upwards. The two species agree in the length, softness, and colour of the fur, and in having a distinct white rump-spot. The horns of the Goa are much more slender, compressed, and longer than those of the Yellow Sheep, and have the tips bent rather forwards. The length of the horn, along the curves, of the adult Yellow Sheep is 9*| inches, of the Goa 111 inches. The latter has about twenty-four or twenty-five, and the former onlv twenty rings. There are also several differences in the skulls. The aperture of the front blood-vessels at the base of the horn in P. gutturosa is very much larger than that in P. picticauda. Pallas describes the horns of P. gutturosa as " lutescenli-opaca ;" but in the two specimens in the British Museum they are of a dark blackish horn-colour, in this respect very different from those of the " Goa." March 14, 1867. Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. The Secretary read the following extract from a letter addressed to him by Mr. J. H. Thomson, of N e w Bedford, Massachusetts :- "I notice in the 'Proceedings' (1865, pp. 390 &c.) some account of ' Deformity of the Lower Jaw of the Sperm-Whale,' by Dr. J. Murie. Such deformed jaws are by no means uncommon ; there are at this time some four or five specimens of such in the collection of our High School and the Natural-History Society of this place, and I have seen quite a number besides. As to the cause of this deformity, whalemen generally attribute it to the fighting-propensities of the young 'Bull' Whales. I have never seen a specimen except from male Whales. The difference of teeth mentioned on page 396, 'Proceedings' (1865), is not in accordance with my observations. The lower jaws are very frequently brought home in whalers, to use up as bone for manufacturers and for ornaments &c.; you can find them lying about in a great manv places in this vicinity. I have myself seen Sperm-Whale jaws with the sides of the same jaw differing by one or two teeth-that is, one or two more on one side than the other. The male Sperm-Whales in the rutting-season are very jealous of each other ; the old ' bulls ' at that time fight and drive off the young males from the ' school' or herd Their mode of fighting is with their jaws mostly, so much so that you can approach a Whale directly behind to fasten or harpoon |