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Show 684 PROF. FLOWER ON ZIPHIOID WHALES. [Nov. 6, The Secretary exhibited, on the part of Mr. G. Dawson Rowley, F.Z.S., an egg of Pauxis galeata, and read the following note by Mr. Rowley on the subject:- "This egg of Pauxis galeata was laid June 30, 1877, by a black female, exactly like the male, except that in size she is a trifle smaller. The two birds have been kept by themselves for several years in a large aviary. The brown form of female1 is also here in a different cage; and no communication has been allowed. The black female lays eggs every year ; but they have been previously always broken. All the birds have been in m y possession about eight or nine years. Prof. Flower, F.R.S., V.P., read "A further Contribution to our Knowledge of the existing Ziphioid Whales, of the Genus Mesoplodon" This communication contained a description of two skeletons and several skulls of Cetaceans of the genus Mesoplodon from New Zealand, sent to England by Dr. Hector and Dr. J. v. Haast, preceded by a review of the species of the genus at present ascertained to exist. These appeared to be the following :- 1. 31. bidens (Sowerby) = M. sowerbiensis of Blainville and most other authors. Hab. European Seas. 2. M. europceus, Gervais. Hab. North coast of France. One example only known. 3. M. densirostris (Blainville) = M. seychellensis (Gray). Hab. Indian Ocean, Australia. 4. M. layardi (Gray) = M. longirostris, Krefft = M. jioweri, Haast = Callidon guentheri, Gray = Dolichodon traversii, Gray. Hab. Indian Ocean, Australia, N e w Zealand. 5. M. hectori (Gray) = M. knoxi, Hector. Hab. New Zealand. Known only by a single individual, of which the skull, now in the British Museum, is described in the present communication. 6. M. grayi, Haast = Oulodon grayi, Haast. Hab. New Zealand. A complete skeleton, in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, is described in the present memoir. 7. M. haasti, n. sp., = M. hectori (Gray), Hector, Trans. N.Z. Inst. vol. vi. p. 86, and vol. vii. p. 362. Hab. New Zealand. A complete skeleton, now in the British Museum, described in the present memoir. This memoir will be published entire in the Society's ** Transactions.' 1 Cf. Sclater, Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. ix. p. 285, pl.liii. et P.Z. S. 1870, p. 669. |