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Show 592 PROF. J. VON HAAST ON BVLENOPTERA AUSTRALIS. [D 6. Notes on a Skeleton of Balanoptera australis, Das-moulins, the Great Southern Rorqual or "Sulphur- Bottom" of Whalers. By Prof. JULIUS VON HAAST, C.M.G., Ph.D., F.R.S., C.M.Z.S. [Received November 20, 1883.] On the evening of April 20th, 1881, the news reached me that a large Whale had been washed up on the N e w Brighton beach, about five miles from Christchurch. O n arriving at the locality next morning, I found it to be the carcase of a large Southern Rorqual, about 67 feet long. The exact length could not be ascertained, the specimen not lying quite straight. It was a male, and had probably been dead from four to five weeks. The animal had been torn considerably by sharks, and the whole baleen had been lost before it landed on the beach. It was lying nearly on its back, and a great portion of the blubber, as far as exposed, had already been cut off. The position and form of the dorsal fin could not be ascertained, Fig. 1. Right pelvic bone of Balcenoptera australis; one fourth natural size. and unfortunately I omitted to leave instructions to investigate these particulars when the upper portion of the carcase was examined. The throat and belly, of a clear white colour, were deeply plaited, the sides and back being of a bluish-black tint. The total length of the skeleton (allowing for cartilage) is 66 feet, the skull measuring 16 feet, and the vertebrae 50 feet. There are 7 cervical, 15 dorsal, 15 lumbar, and 25 caudal; altogether 62 vertebrae. The cervical vertebrae are all free, and resemble closely those described and figured by Dr. Hector (Transactions New-Zealand Institute, vol. vii. page 258). The lateral processes are united, and |