NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 87 



The basipterygoid processes are situated, like those iu Columbidse, al the 

 juncture of the basisphenoidal rostrum with the body of the sphenoid. A.8 

 in the Doves, they are prominent and articulate with the pterygoids about 

 midway between their anterior and posterior ends : while in the Alectoronior- 

 pha? they are flattened facets, sessile upon the rostrum, and articulate with 

 the pterygoid bones near their anterior extremity. The other cranial charac- 

 ters resemble the Cocks. 



The sternum is almost completely Peristeromorphic. The inner posterior 

 notch on each side is converted into a foramen; the outer is wide and deep; 

 both of which are Dove characters. The anterior inferior angle of tin- keel is 

 less produced forward. In this particular it is like the walking bird-. 



In all the Gallinaceous birds examined the clavicles presented a large, bro 

 process, which is developed downward from the summit of their symphysis. 

 In the Doves it is wanting, as it also is in Pteroeles arenarius. 



On the whole, 1 think that it approaches the Peristeromorphae more closely 

 than the Alectoroinorphse. 



Desmogxath.k. 



The third suborder, Desmognath;e, is divided into seven groups. They arc- 

 named the Chenomorphae, or Goose-form ; the Amphimorphae, a type inter- 

 vening between the Goose and Stork form; the Pelargomorphae, or Stork- 

 form; the Dysporomorpha?, which have the Gannets as their type: .Ktomor- 

 phs>, or Eagle-form ; the Psittacomorphae, or Parrot-form; the Coccygomor- 

 phie, or Cuckoo-form ; and the Celeomorpha?, or Woodpecker-form. 



In the Chenoniorphce "the lachrymal region of the skull is remarkably 

 long. 



"The basisphenoidal rostrum has oval, sessile, basipterygoid facets. 



"The flat and lamellar maxillo-palatines unite and forma bridge across the 

 palate. 



"The angle of the mandible is greatly produced and recurved. 



"The sternum has a single pair of notches at its truncated posterior mar- 

 gin." 



In this group Prof. Huxley places the 1'alamedea. The following are the pe- 

 culiarities presented by the bones situated at the roof of the mouth in I'ala- 

 medea cornuta. The. maxillo-palatines are inflated. They unite with one an- 

 other across the median line ; but this union is not so extensive as that seen 

 in the Anatidse. The bridge across the fissure is very narrow. The maxillo- 

 palatines, anteriorly and posteriorly, are separated by a wide interval. The 

 septum is entirely wanting, as it is in the Gallinaceous birds. Like this 

 group, again, the'anterior processes of the palatines are long and slender, and 

 their posterior ends are rounded off. The posterior extremities of the pala- 

 tines and the anterior extremities of the pterygoids do not articulate directly 

 with the basisphenoidal rostrum, as stated by Huxley. A space, the tenth ot 

 an inch, intervenes between the rostrum and the upper surface of the palatines. 

 The basipterygoid processes are long and prominent. 



The lachrymal region of the skull is remarkably short. It presents the 

 same condition in the Gallinas. . 



The angle of the mandible is produced and recurved. Ihis character exists 

 as well in the Gallinse as in the Anserine birds. 



The sternum bears no resemblance either to the Gallinaceous birds or to 

 the Anatida?. The external angles of the posterior extremity are produced 

 more than the middle portion. A slight notch exists on one side 1 his bacK- 

 ward extension of the postero-external angles of the sternum is characteristic 



also of the Albatrosses. ,i,:i, 



From the above description it will be seen that the Palamedec i cornuta exhib- 

 its a decided resemblance to the Gallinaceous form. The closed palate should 



1870.] 



