Linnoian Society. 365 



1, 2, 4. The common difference in the palatal, the coronal, the 

 basilar, and the extreme length of the cranium, is the breadth of 

 the cranium at the temporal fossae : these lengths, in the animal 

 examined, being, respectively, 12, 15, 18, 21 inches. The lateral 

 extent of the atlas is equal to the distance between the inner mar- 

 gins of the orbits. The greatest elevation of the spine is at the 

 third dorsal vertebra ; the extreme length of that bone equalling 

 the greatest extent of the pelvis towards the mesial plane. The 

 longest of the twelve ribs are the seventh and the eighth their 

 length equals the greatest extent of the scapula. The sum of the 

 lengths of the twelve ribs is about ten times that of the longest 

 rib. The dimensions of the cavity of the chest agree with those of the 

 separate bones of the body ; thus, the greatest width of the chest 

 is equal to the greatest length of the head. The breadths of the 

 pelvis, rostrad, (measured towards the front), from the acetabula, are 

 even numbers of proportional parts. The bread th s , caudad, (mea- 

 sured to wards the tail), from the acetabula, including the acetabular 

 breadth itself, are odd numbers of proportional parts. The chief 

 dimensions of the pelvis are identical with the chief dimensions of 

 the head; thus, for example, the greatest dimension of the pelvis, 

 being through the mesial plane, is equal to the greatest length of 

 the head. The lengths of the four long bones of the atlantal (fore) 

 limbs, independent of processes and elevations, are consecutively 

 as the numbers 22 , 28 , 20, 6, sum 76. The similar lengths of the 

 four long bones of the sacral (hind) limbs are consecutively as the 

 numbers 28 , 23 , 20 , 5, sum 76. The author observes, in conclu- 

 sion, that, from the exposition given in the paper it appears that 

 throughout the dimensions of the bones of the Bactrian Camel 

 there is such an agreement, that many of the dimensions are con- 

 tinued proportionals, and that the mutual relations of nearly all 

 admit of a very simple expression ; and he states that correspond- 

 ing relations have been found to prevail in the bones of every species 

 of animal he has examined. From the full verification of these ob- 

 servations in the osteology of other animals, it will result, he infers, 

 that zoology is susceptible of a classification established on the 

 fixed basis of number, that the tissues by which the bones are 

 moulded are also of determinable proportions, and that, conse- 

 quently, the development of the parts of organized bodies, &c. &c. 

 afford a wide scope for numerical as well as for physiological in- 

 quiry. 



The various proportions are minutely exhibited in twenty-eight 

 folio tables ; the first column of each giving the actual dimensions 

 of an individual camel, and those measurements being in the next 

 column adjusted to the normal proportion, on the assumption, that 

 the aberrations in the form of an individual animal, from the per- 

 fect form of its species, may be at least as great as the inequalities 

 of the right and left sides of that individual itself. The numbers 

 assigned to the normal proportions, however, are regarded merely 

 as approximations. 



April 19. Read, continuation of Mr. Jeffreys's paper. 



ZOOLO- 



