482 ox THE FEMORAL GLAXD OF ORS ITHORllYXCHUS, 



In the accounts of those naturalists (Bennett, Nicols and others) 

 who have thought the spur was not used as a weapon of offence, 

 it is invariably stated that the animals handled by them made no 

 attempt to use their spurs. They do not instance siny cases in 

 which wounds were made without injurious results. 



This negative evidence is of little value compared to the cases 

 quoted above. Taking all these facts into consideration, it is at 

 least difficult to avoid the conclusion that the gland and spur 

 constitute a weapon of offence. 



Quite recently we were fortunate enough to receive, through 

 the kindness of Dr. G. Elliott Smith, a supply of material in very 

 fair condition for ordinary anatomical and histological investigation. 

 At the same time Dr. Smith obtained for us a small amount of 

 the secretion of the glands. In addition to this, we have had the 

 use of some preserved specimens kindly placed at our disposal by 

 Prof. Wilson. We wish here to acknowledge our indebtedness 

 and express our thanks to these two gentlemen. 



The naked eye anatomy and anatomical relations of the femoral 

 gland and its duct and spur have been so well described by 

 Meckel* and Owenf that we feel we have little further to add. 

 In view of the fact, however, that these descriptions were written 

 from the dissection of preserved specimens, we have deemed it 

 advisable to risk repetition by giving a short account of it here. 



Anatomy of the Glands. 



The femoral or crural glands (PI. xxviii. i) are two whitish 

 bodies shaped somewhat like a cocked hat, situated symmetrically 

 one on each side of the spine over the acetabulum and femur. 

 They are covered by skin, panniculus carnosus, and deep fascia, 

 the latter forming a special compartment in which the gland lies. 

 At the inner side of each, and slightly overlapping part of the 

 inner l)order, is the gluteus maximus muscle ; at the outer 



* Desc. anat. Ornitlior. paradox. 

 t Todd's Cyolopcedia, Art. Monotremes. 



