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Show 250 MR. R. COLLETT ON BAL^NOPTERA BOREALIS. [Feb. 2> long axis there runs a dark line, from which to both sides and both ends run fine radii of similar lines l. These patches are most frequent on the sides of the body somewhat below the middle, and occur also on the tail, but may be found, when they occur to any great extent, distributed singly right up the centre of the back, and extending as far as the end of the lower jaw. They occur on all examples, although they may not be equally apparent in all. They evidently are due to a peculiar matter in the skin, as they become more perceptible after the animal has dried for a time. Single small white spots of a normal form occur less frequently in the black portion of the sides, especially up towards the back. Among the markings of less constant occurrence may be noticed : - O n one of the specimens examined there was a slightly lighter patch behind the ear-opening, which began just at its posterior margin, and extended backwards in a pyramidal form for about a foot. In order to show the variations of the white colour on the fyelly, I shall briefly explain its extent in the individuals examined by myself. No. 1. A female.-Throat entirely white ; on the breast the white area became narrower, though without being completely broken off. A larger white patch occurred at the end of the furrows, forming here an extension of the central stripe. On the belly the white colour was partly covered over by the fine light bluish-grey lines, which terminated as single white stains at the mammae. No. 2. A female.-The white area symmetrical and ample; throat white, about ten furrows on each side being included, though the upper ones were spotted with black. The patch became narrower backwards, so that between the flippers only three furrows on each side were included, while behind the flippers it spread out in an anchor-like form, the arms of which extended rather high up on the sides (and to about half a flipper's length from the end of the flipper). Behind the furrows the white area was almost interrupted by the grey colour of the sides, but widened out again in front of the mammae, where it was whitish and not sharply defined. The fine bluish-grey lines were most frequent towards the dark portions of the sides. In this specimen the oblong whitish marks on the sides were comparatively few and indistinct, although some of them were perfectly white. No. 3. A female.-Throat white, the white commencing just behind the symphysis of the jaw, and including the eight furrows on each side of the central line; this white portion diminished as it passed backwards. Almost exactly under the distal end of the flipper, when lying parallel to the body, it was broken off by the colour of the sides, but it recommenced at the navel, and thence extended unbroken to the mammas. 1 The general form and design reminds one of the septa in a Fnngia or Hcrpetolithus. |
