OCR Text |
Show 806 MR. J. B. PERRIN ON BALAENOPTERA ROSTRATA. [Dec. 6, ft. in. From termination (apex) of dorsal spinous ridge to the apex of each lateral half of tail 1 11^ Depth of fissure in tail 0 1-| Extreme breadth of tail 1 Of Width of dorsal fin at its base 0 8 Extreme length of dorsal fin 0 11 Height of dorsal fin from apex to posterior basal ridge.... 0 6 Girth of trunk opposite the bases of the flippers (underneath flippers) 6 8 Girth in front of dorsal fin 5 0 Girth 1 foot from base of tail 2 8 Girth 2 feet in front of dorsal fin, i. e. about midway between dorsal fin and flipper 5 11 Length of baleen, measured along its outer side (from base to point of termination in median line in front) 2 7\ Greatest width of baleen 0 3f Least width of baleen 0 1\ Number of plates in each lateral half of baleen 330 ; total 660. A line drawn transversely across between the anterior angles of the eyes crosses the summit of forehead 2\ inches from posterior extremity of median nasal groove. Distance from posterior extremity of blow-hole to this transverse line 0 3^ Width from eye to eye 2 2 The groove between the blow-holes measured 7 inches, projecting an inch in both the anterior and posterior directions beyond the blow-holes. In the specimen described by Carte and Macalister the nasal groove commenced an inch in front of the anterior commissures of the blow-holes, and fell short of their posterior commissures by about the same distance. The posterior extremity of each blow-hole was wider than the rest of the groove, and the marginal commissures in this situation were marked by rugae or folds. N o hairs were discernible on the nasal commissures. There were, however, two small hairs on the integument covering the apex of the lower maxilla, which could be distinctly seen. The auditory apertures could not be found. The palpebral fissure extended for a considerable distance both forwards and backwards beyond the ocular aperture, the anterior portion extending a little more than 2 inches, the posterior a little less than 1 beyond it. The lower jaw projected If inch more forward than the upper on snout. The integument covering the whole of the dorsal surface of the animal was of a dusky black, whilst that of the ventral surface was white intermingled with pink, the latter approaching here and there to an almost red colour. This was probably due to exposure to the air. This difference in colour of the integuments on the two surfaces of the body gave a remarkably beautiful appearance to tbe |