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Show 1880.] DR. J. VON HAAST ON ZIPHIUS NOViE-ZEALANDLE. 237 dius arnouxi at the entrance of Wellington Harbour on January 12, 1877, from which it appears that "the teeth did not penetrate the gums, nor could their position be discovered till deep incisions were made." This leads m e to conclude that the male of this species cannot use the teeth in the same manner as Ziphius novee-zealandiee does. Thus this species of Ziphioid Whale, as far as our observations in N e w Zealand go, stands apart in this strange habit of life, by which, so far as we know at present, both young and aged females are made sufferers, the form and peculiar position of the teeth in front of the protruding lower jaw making these savage attacks possible. It will be of some interest to obtain a male of the same species, in order to ascertain if it is also covered with similar scars. The outlines of the right side of the animal were drawn from careful measurements, and the oval and seamed scars conscientiously copied from nature by Mr. T. S. Cousins. Finally, I should like to make a few observations on the nomenclature and the changes proposed. There is no doubt that the generic name Epiodon must give way to Ziphius; but I think it rather premature to follow Dr. Hector's example and to merge our New- Zealand species in the European Ziphius cavirostris of Cuvier, till we possess some more detailed accounts of the form, colour, and anatomical structure of the different species of Ziphius described under various names from other countries. For instance, we know already that the Epiodon australis of Burmeister had a light ash-colour ("ceniza clara"), that it was darker on tbe back, lighter on the belly, and, moreover, that its forehead was not swollen. Epiodon desmarestii, according to Risso, is steel-grey, with numerous irregular white streaks, beneath white, head not swollen, ending in a long nose. Consequently there is considerable difference in the appearance of both these well-described species when compared with the New-Zealand Ziphius-a difference which certainly is of some specific value, and ought not to be set aside without good cause being shown to the contrary. EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXIII. Sketch of female Ziphius novce-zealandicB, from the specimen stranded at New Brighton, New Zealand, November 17, 1878; reduced. A. Dorsal fin. B. Vent. C. Pudendum. D. Gular fold. |