Short Communications. 641 



to the true olfactory nerve, which is only about j- the size 

 of that in the vulture. The olfactory nerve does not form a 

 ganglion at its commencement, but is continued as a small 

 round chord from the anterior apex of each hemisphere, and 

 is ramified on a small middle spongy bone, there beino- no 

 extension of the pituitary membrane over a superior turbi- 

 nated bone, as in the vulture. Indeed, the difference in the 

 developement of the nasal cavity is well marked in the different 

 forms of the head in these two species. In the vulture, there 

 is a space between the upper parts of the orbits, in which the 

 olfactory ganglions and nerves are situated ; and the nasal 

 cavity anterior to these is of a much greater breadth and also 

 longer, as well as exhibiting internally a greater extent of 

 pituitary surface, than in the turkey. In this bird, the olfac- 

 tory nerves are compressed within a narrow interorbital space, 

 which would not admit of the lodgement of ganglions : the 

 olfactory nerves, after passing through this space, then diverge 

 to the nasal cavity. 



" In the goose, the olfactory nerves are developed to the 

 same size as in the vulture, and expand upon superior spongy 

 bones of similar form, but placed wider apart ; and these 

 supply the middle spongy bones, which are longer, but not so 

 broad, as in the turkey. The olfactory branch of the 5th pair 

 is double the size of that in the vulture or turkey ; it gives, 

 however, not a greater proportion of filament to the nose than 

 in those birds, but is mainly expended upon the membrane 

 covering the upper mandible. 



" The above notes show that the vulture has a well-deve- 

 loped organ of smell ; but whether he finds his prey by that 

 sense alone, or in what degree it assists, anatomy is not so 

 well calculated to explain as experiment. 



" I will bring my preparations showing the above at next 

 meeting ; and am truly yours, 



m R. Owen." 



" Royal College of Surgeons, March 7." 



SHORT COMMUNICATIONS. 



We beg to call the attention of our readers to the following 

 letter from the Rev. F. O. Morris, upon the subject of our late 

 censure of the conduct of certain parties connected with the 

 Naturalist : — 



" Sir, In your present (October) Number, there are two 

 statements, the very reverse, each of them, of fact, which when 

 shown to be such, you will not hesitate, I feel sure, to retract, 



Vol. I.— No. 12. n. s. 3 a 



