270 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1894. 



the base of the pterygoid process. It forms a deep recess, the mouth 

 of which is directed outward, the bases of the pterygoid processes 

 are convex and opposed to one another on either side of the mesoptery- 

 goid fossa. The occipital condyles are without division : the appear- 

 ance is quite the same as in the Cetacea, and suggests a similar 

 mechanism of the atlanto-occipital joint, namely, a cranium which 

 is deviated scarcely at all from a horizontal plane. The anterior 

 annular ligament of the ankle-joint is ossified, and constitutes 

 part of the tibia. The astragalus is nearly flat on proximal 

 surface, and the patellar trochlea is low and wide. These two 

 characters probably co-ordinate, and establish Blarina as an animal 

 whose posterior extremity is of low specialization, and one which sup- 

 ports the trunk imperfectly. The absence of the pubic symphysis 

 probablv is associated with the above conditions. The biceps femoris 

 and gracilis constitute one muscle, and the two enclose the slender 

 semitendinosus in a manner suggestive of the tenuissimus of Lepus. 



The following were ordered to be printed: — 



