| OCR Text |
Show 1883.] PROF, F L O W E R O N R U D O L P H I ' S R O R Q U A L . 515 broad flattened form characteristic of this species. The pelvic bones were very small and partly cartilaginous, 4£ inches long, flattened, with one border slightly concave, and the other convex, and having a rounded prominence near the middle. The pectoral fins were long and narrow, as in the Rorquals generally; the length from the head of the humerus to the extremity of the fin was 3 feet 9 inches (1*140 m.), the greatest breadth 9 inches (0*230 m.). The skin not having yet been removed, I can give no information about the number or form of the carpal bones or phalanges. The dorsal fin was preserved with the skeleton, and appeared large in proportion to the size of the animal, at all events in comparison with that of B. musculus. Its extremity is pointed, and its hinder border strongly Balcenoptera borealis. Sternum and sternal ends of first pair of ribs in their natural relations; one fourth natural size. The dotted lines show approximatively the extent of ossification of the sternum and of the ribs. concave, giving it a distinctly falcate form ; its height above the general line of the back is 11 inches (0-280 m.), and the length of its base 1 foot 4 inches (0*406 m.). The baleen was also fortunately preserved. The outer edge and greater part of each blade is black ; but the inner edge and the hairy fringe of the larger blades and the small or subsidiary inner blades are almost pure white. The small blades at the posterior end of the series gradually change in colour from black to nearly white. The longest blades in the middle of the series are exactly 12 inches in length on the outer edge, to which about an inch may be added for the hairy fringe. To count the blades accurately is impossible, as they gradually degenerate at the extremities of the series, especially in front, into little more than bristles ; but 300 on each side may be taken as a close approximation. . |
