36 SOLENODON PARADOXUS. 



In the Gth vertebra this process is produced axially forming a broad ventro- 

 lateral ridge extending posteriorly beyond the edge of the vertebra itself. This 

 condition is ftnuitl in Gyiimura alba of which a skeleton was examined. In 

 Erinaceus the posterior extent of this process is less. In the seventh cervical 

 this large process is normally obsolescent, but in one example of Solenodon para- 

 doxus examined, it is equally divided between the Gth and the 7th cervicals so 

 that a vertebral canal is abnormally present on the left side of the 7th cervical, 

 but not on the right side. 



The dorsal vertebrae in a general way resemble closely those of G}-mnura. 

 Tlie spines of the three first dorsals increase successively in height, and measure 

 from the anterior end of their proper bases, 11.5, 16, and 17 mm. respectively. 

 These spines are high and somewhat circular in section, and expanded a trifle 

 distally. In Gyninura the si)inc of the second dorsal is highest. The following 

 spines from the fourth to the ninth tlecrease slightly in height, and become 

 stouter and laterally compressed. All of the series are directed shaiply back- 

 ward. The spines of the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth vertebrae, however, are 

 hardly tapered distally and curve distinctly forward at their tips. The thirteenth 

 spine is nearly upright and the fourteenth is almost twice its length and jioints 

 anteriorly. The two last dorsals have low spines whose tops are flat in profile 

 and nearly as long as their centra. 



The twelfth dorsal verteljra begins to develop a descending lateral jioint at 

 the posterior end, that becomes a distinct diapophysis at the 14th vertebi'a and in 

 the vertebrae succeechng. Beginning with the first lumbar (Plate 7, figs. 13, 14) 

 however, the diapophysis instead of being directed j:)osteriorly, is curved anteri- 

 orly from a base running the length of the vertebra on a level with the center 

 of the spinal cord. 



The four sacral vertebrae are solidly fused throughout, much as in Ciynmura, 

 and the continuation of the diapophyses forms a flange or shelf along the sides of 

 the centra. The dorsal profile is slightly emarginate between successive sjiines 

 of the fused vertebrae. The sacrum, in dursal view is narrower near the middle 

 of its length than at either end. 



The caudal vertebrae (Plate 8, figs. 3, 4, G) rapidly lose their dorsal spines, 

 which are well developed in only the three first. The neural canal practically 

 disappears with the ninth. The prezygapophyses of the fifth caudal are the 

 last to form an articulation, for this and the succeeding vertebrae lack any 

 trace of j^ostzygapophyses. The prezygapophyses become successively redviced 

 toward the tip of the tail, and become obsolete on the IGth or 17th vertebra. 



