[37]As to reasons for assigning sexes thus, see [p. 55].
[38]Cope’s original description of this species was as follows:
“Hyperodon semijunctus, sp. nov. The question whether a Hyperodon visits this side of the Atlantic, has at length been solved by the description which I have received through Dr. Alexander Wilcocks of this city, of a species taken in Charleston Harbor. This is well drawn up by Gabriel Manigault, who set up the specimen, which adorns the Charleston Museum. The points wherein it evidently differs from its congeners, the H. bidens and latifrons, are, first, the separation of the four posterior cervical vertebræ, the three anterior only being solidly anchylosed, instead of the seven, as in the known species, even in the young, according to Dr. J. E. Gray. Second, the possession of one or more pairs of ribs added to the flying series, and of two more vertebræ, including ten dorsal instead of nine. (Nine are given by Cuvier, Ossemens Fossiles, viii, 188; and Flower, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1864, 419, for the bidens.) Five ribs are connected with the sternum, of which the anterior articulates with the seventh cervical by its inferior head.
“I extract the following from Gabr. Manigault’s description:
“‘The superior maxillary bones are quite pointed in front and widen out toward the base of the snout. Their lateral edges become developed on each side into a prominent vertical ridge, which is slightly convex on the outer surface, and the reverse on the inner. These bones, after having widened out upon approaching the orbits, ascend vertically along with the occipital (the two together holding the frontal, which is quite perceptible, between them) and form at the back of the head a transverse ridge, which is quite high and very thick. From my not knowing by what name it was known, I did not satisfy myself concerning the presence of palatine tubercles. Another peculiarity of the head consists in the lower maxillary bones being provided each at its point with a single small and very sharp tooth. These were not noticed during the dissection, owing to their being too much imbedded in the integuments; they are now, however, quite visible. In the cavity of the skull is a septum of bone separating the cerebrum from the cerebellum (i. e., the tentorium). The first rib is very wide and short, and presents a marked contrast to the others. The sternum is quite flat and wide. The pectoral fins are small, and have been carefully preserved, with the various carpal and phalangeal bones kept together by their natural ligaments. As the skeleton stands, the fins consist only of the scapula, the humerus, the radius, and the ulna, with but few phalanges.
“‘The length of this specimen is between twelve and thirteen feet.’” (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1865, p. 15.)
[39]The Buenos Ayres specimen is not included here, as I am uncertain as to its proper interpretation.
[40]Trans. New Zealand Inst., vol. 5, 1873, p. 164, pls. 4-5.
[41]Hector also figures a tooth from a specimen found at Manawatu beach in pl. 5, fig. 3, which is like those of the Chatham Island specimen in size and shape (diameter 34 mm.), and should belong to a male, but as he does not figure or describe the skull this can not be used in the present discussion.
[42]Trans. New Zealand Inst., vol. 9, 1876, p. 430, pl. 24, figs. A and C; pl. 26, fig. 4.