THE ORDER CETACEA. 123 



verse processes are tuberose and asperated, for the at- 

 tachment of the adjacent muscles and lateral ligaments, 

 permitting the head to perform the various motions in- 

 tended for it by the great Author of nature. The pos- 

 terior surface of this bone exhibits nothing beyond a few 

 irregularities by which it is attached to the bone behind 

 it. There is no hole or foramen in the transverse pro- 

 cess of the atlas, for the passage of blood-vessels and 

 nerves. 



The second Bone of the Spine is of a curious yet re- 

 gular shape, presenting an oval figure, the great diameter 

 of which is transverse. This bone has no spinous, but 

 has two enormous transverse processes ; each of which 

 possesses a very large foramen, which exceeds that of 

 the occipital bone by twice its diameter. The third, 

 fourth, and fifth cervical vertebree have double trans- 

 verse processes, so that they do not, as in the second, 

 form a complete foramen or hole ; and the fifth exhibits 

 the rudiments of a spinous process. The sixth forms a 

 curve on its body, that, when united, has its convexity 

 downwards. 



The Bones of the Back. — These are fifteen in num- 

 ber, although the ribs are but fourteen on each side ; the 

 first of which, being bicipital or two-headed, is united 

 to the first two dorsal vertebrae. The transverse pro- 

 cesses have at their extremity an articulating surface for 

 the union of the ribs — a phenomenon peculiar to these 

 animals; and, consequently, the motions of the ribs 

 must be somewhat limited. The bodies and processes 

 of these vertebree are very large, and in substance they 

 are more dense and compact than the other vertebree ; 

 which may be supposed to be thus made stronger 



" By Him who never errs," 



