Zoological Society. 521 



thirteenth vertebra is long : in the remainder this process is short. 

 The transverse processes are short in all except the twelfth and 

 thirteenth vertebra, in which they more nearly correspond with the 

 processes of the dorsal series. The articulation of the bodies of the 

 vertebrce is effected as usual. The sixth vertebra has the transverse 

 processes extended downwards as much as they may be without the 

 free motion of the neck being impeded : in the seventh, eighth, 

 ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth these processes gradually shorten, 

 and in the twelfth and third can hardly be said to be produced : 

 they lengthen in the fourth and fifth, and in the sixth reach the 

 maximum. In the sixth vertebra we notice the commencement of 

 two processes proceeding from the superior part of the anterior face 

 of the vertebra, a little external to the median line, which give firm 

 attachment to the muscles of the neck : in the succeeding vertebra 

 these processes are more fully developed till they reach the tenth, 

 after which we observe no trace of them j but instead of them, in 

 the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth we have a very prominent an- 

 terior spinous process: in the two last it is bifid. In the last (the 

 thirteenth) the transverse processes are extended laterally, and are 

 curved acutely backwards, leading immediately to the shape of the 

 dorsal vertebrce. 



" These are nine in number. The first has very extensive motion : 

 in the second the motion is much diminished : and the diminution 

 of motion is continued as far as the seventh vertebra, the last two 

 having no motion whatsoever. The posterior spinous processes have 

 less development than is usual in most Birds. The anterior ones are 

 very little produced. The transverse processes do not overlap each 

 other. The oblique processes strongly resemble those of the neck. 

 In the first vertebra the anterior spinous process is most prominent, 

 and in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth the process is bifid 

 and less prominent. 



" The sacral region is composed of twelve bones, all anchylosed 

 together, of which the upper four might almost be regarded as lum- 

 bar, for they are unconnected to the ilia, except by ligament. The 

 canalis vertebralis is broadest in the tenth of these vertebrce. 



" There are eight caudal vertebra, each furnished with transverse 

 and spinous processes, and also, on their anterior face, with two 

 processes arising one on each side of the median line, measuring in 

 length, on an average, 6 lines. The eighth, or last, is in length 2 

 inches, conical, with the base towards the body, and having the tip 

 scabrous, for the insertion of muscle : on the superior part of the 

 anterior face there is a groove extending about one third of its 

 length. About half an inch from the tip there is a thickening of sub- 

 stance, giving the appearance of the tip having been originally se- 

 parate. The canalis vertebralis extends a short way down the bone. 

 The seventh vertebra is united to the eighth by anchylosis. 



" The ribs are nine in number, and of the usual form : the two 

 upper ones are not connected with the sternum. The oblique pro- 

 cesses are situated halfway between their vertebral and sternal ex- 

 tremities. They commence cartilaginous at the inferior margin of 



Third Series. Vol. 7. No. 42. Dec. 1835. 3 U 



