( 202 ) 



species. A skull in which (he impressions are feebl}' developed and sepaiaLed in the 

 middle line by a considerable interval is shown on PI. IX., fig. 6. 



In Fulica cristata there is scarcely a trace of these supraorbital impressions, and 

 the interorbital region of the frontals is concave from .side to side ; in F. alra, on the 

 other hand, the margins of the orbits are distinctly bevelled off, and the interorbital 

 portion of the frontals is thereby narrowed. In both these birds the frontals are 

 somewhat inflated and filled with fine diploe, but to the greatest extent in F. atra, 

 which, both in this respect and in the bevelling awaj' of the margins of the orbits, 

 comes midway between F. cristata and Palaeolimnas. 



In the view of the skull from the side (fig. 5) it will be seen that the temporal 

 fossa is both larger and more sharply defined than in Fidlca, and the postorbital 

 jsrocesses are also better developed. The curvature and depth of the frontal bones 

 which results from the thickening and lateral compression they have undergone 

 is also well shown. The interorbital septum is precisely like that oi Falica. 



The beak is identical in structure with that of the recent coots, but seems to 

 have been directed somewhat more downwards; its upper surface near the junction 

 with the frontals is roughened, as if for the attachment of the base of the frontal 

 shield. 



Seen from below the skull differs from that of Fulica in the form of the basi- 

 temporal platform, which is here slightly concave from side to side, instead of being 

 flat, or even a little convex. In the palate the only differences observable are that 

 the maxillo-palatine plates are relatively rather larger, and for a short distance are 

 in contact below the vomer. 



The mandible (fig. 5) closely resembles that of the common coot, but the 

 posterior angular process is a little more prominent, and the upper surface of the 

 internal angular process bears a larger pneumatic foramen. 



The dimensions of the skull and mandible are :— 



Total length of skuU » 



Length of beak 



Length of uarial opening . 

 Width at paroccipital processes . 

 Width at postorbital processes . 

 Width of interorbital region of frontals 

 Total length of mandible . 

 Length of mandibular symphysis 



Only twelve cervical vertebrae (with fused ribs) are preserved in the skeleton 

 here described, but two, probably the eighth and ninth, seem to be wanting, bringing 

 the total up to fourteen, as in most specimens oi Fulica ; and except that the ridges 

 and processes are better developed in Palaeolimaas, there is no im[)ortant difference 

 to be noted between the vertebrae in the two genera. The dorsal region in the 

 present specimen is also imperfect : probably it consisted of a single cervi co-dorsal 

 and seven free dorsals. The length of the centrum in one of the anterior dorsals 

 is 10 mm., in one farther back 12 mm. 



The ribs are relatively much thicker than in Fulica,. The sternum (PI. X., 

 figs. 1 and 2) is on the whole very similar to that of Fulica atra, but differs from it 

 in several particulars; for example, the spi^m externa is rather broader and more 



* Taken from the occipital condyle to the tip of the beak. Specimen A is that Ijclonging to the 

 complete skeleton, and is figured on I'l. IX., figs. 4 and 5. Specimen B is figured I'l. IX., fig. 6. 



