July, 1846.] 85 



anchylosis ; there are no spines or processes attached to the anterior face 

 of the lurabo-sacral bone ; a slight ridge exists near its posterior extremity; 

 the fourth and fifth transverse processes of the caudal vertebrae are more 

 developed than either of the others ; transverse processes are observed in 

 all bat the two last ; the dorsal spinous process of the penultimate vertebra 

 is well characterized ; none of the caudal vertebr e are truly anchylosed ; 

 there are eight caudal vertebras and nine dorsal ; the vertebrae present nu- 

 numerous foramina for the transmission of air ; the spinous processes of the 

 dorsal vertebne are all separated ; none of their bodies are truly anchylosed. 

 The keel of the sternum is well developed ; there are no notches in the pos- 

 terior border ; near its extremity are two large foramina, eleven lines in 

 length, which extend to within two and a half lines of the posterior margin ; 

 the coracoid bones are remarkably strong and powerful, being greatly ex- 

 panded at their base ; the furcula is separated from the sternum a distance of 

 nearly half an inch. The scapula and clavicles present nothing remarkable 

 in their conformation ; there are eight ribs, two of which appear to be want- 

 ing, the pits for their reception being alone observed ; the six which exist are 

 attached to the sterno-costal bones ; there are caudal appendages to the 

 second, third, fourth and fifth; that of the second meets the anterior margin of 

 the fourth about its middle ; none of the ribs are anchylosed with the pelvis. 



Cranium. The foramen magnum is nearly horizontal ; two well marked de- 

 pressions exist upon the posterior and inferior aspect of the occipital bone ; 

 between them is a small ridge four lines in length ; it is very narrow, pre- 

 senting a marked contrast in this respect with the ridge in the same part 

 in the grey vulture of Africa which measures half an inch in breadth ; the 

 supraorbitar and lachrymal bones are of nearly equal length ; the former 

 is rounded at its posterior extremity where it presents a broad expansion, 

 the corresponding part of this bone in the grey African vulture terminates 

 in a point ; that part of the skull immediately above these depressions is 

 much flattened ; the ossa communicantia are seven lines in length and of 

 moderate thickness. The opening for the nostrils is four lines in breadth ; 

 the posterior extremity of the lower jaw does not project beyond the up- 

 per ; the cranium presents generally a smooth surface exteriorly. 



Anterior Extremities. The numerous is well developed. On its internal 

 aspect is a well marked ridge, presenting a broad and somewhat rough 

 surface, incliaing backwards, beneath which is the hole for the transmis- 

 sion of air ; the humerus immediately below this is compressed laterally, 

 having a triangular form ; it is concave near its inferior extremity pos- 

 teriorly, and convex in front; the middle of the bone is smooth and 

 rounded ; the inferior articulating surface presents two oblong convexities 

 for articulation with the bones of the forearm, with a narrow fossa be- 

 tween them ; there is but one carpal bone in the subject under examination, 

 but there is clearly a smooth articulating surface for another ; the radius is a 

 long and slender bone, having about one half the diameter of the ulna ; there 

 are two small ridges upon its distal extremity; the ulna has a well marked ole- 

 cranon process; the metacarpal bone corresponding with the radius has three 



