Megaptera osphyia, Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1865, p. 4.
Inhab. Atlantic. Skeleton. Mus. Niagara.
“A second and more full examination of the Megaptera osphyia, Cope, furnishes the following additional points and characters. The specimen is young, and measures in its present condition 34 feet. It has, however, lost a considerable number of caudal vertebræ, and, from the posterior part of the column, of intervertebral cartilages also; add to this the shrinking of the cartilages preserved, and the increase of length would perhaps amount to 8 feet, giving 42 in all. The asserted length of 50 feet, line measurement, which I quoted in my original description, is no doubt an exaggeration.
“The glenoid process is margined by an angular prominence, the rudiment of the coracoid, precisely as in the M. brasiliensis. The diapophysis of the atlas is a flat vertical plate, extending from opposite the base of the foramen dentatum to opposite the widest point of the spinal canal; inferior posterior outline of the atlas broad, slightly concave mesially. The mandible is peculiar in the strong angular process, which extends from behind, round the side, projecting as far as the condyle, and separated from it by a deep groove. The third and fourth cervicals are united by the neural arch. The first rib is very broad at the extremity; length 37 inches, width at end 8·22 inches. The orbital processes of the frontal bone are not contracted at the extremities as in M. longimana, but are more as in Balænopteræ; entire width over and within edge of orbit 15½ in.; length to vertical plate of maxillary 31 inches. The baleen measures 2 feet in length, is black, with three rows of coarse bristles. Its base is one curve; its length is spirally twisted. The species is probably one of the largest of the Balænidæ.”—Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1868, p. 194.
7. Megaptera versabilis.
Megaptera versabilis, Cope, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. 1869, p. 17, figs. 5 & 6.
Inhab. North Pacific, Californian coast.
2. POESCOPIA.
Poescopia, Gray, l. c. p. 113; Synops. Whales & Dolph. p. 2.
Bladebone with small coracoid process. Body of cervical vertebræ nearly square.