THE OSTEOLOGY AND MYOLOGY OF THE DEATH 

 ADDER (ACANTHOPHIS ANTARCTICA). 



By W. J. McKay, B.Sc. 



(Plates xxv.-xxvii). 



The observations contained in this paper were made in the 

 Biological Laboratory of the Sydney University, through the 

 kindness of Dr. Has well, whom I have to thank for having 

 suggested the subject, and for aiding me by his advice. I have 

 likewise to thank Mr. James Wilson, M.B., also of the University, 

 for his assistance regarding the homology of certain of the muscles. 

 Lastly I am much indebted to the Trustees of the Australian 

 Museum, and to Mr. Douglas Ogilby for supplying me with many 

 specimens. 



My first object in studying the Death Adder was to ascertain 

 if there were any grounds for considering it to be a viper. On 

 referring to the literature on the bones and muscles of the Ophidia, 

 I saw that there was ample room for a paper on both, for while 

 the bones of the head have been examined by many observers, 

 none so far as I could ascertain had described them with reference 

 to the exact position of the muscular attachments. 



With regard to the muscles of the head and body, I found that 

 there had been few observers ; and that almost no work had been 

 done as regards morphology. I therefore determined to apply the 

 ideas put forward by Humphry in his admirable papers on 

 Morphology, and endeavour to throw some light on the homology 

 of the various muscles. 



Of the observers who have written on the muscles of the snake 

 D' Alton appears to me to be the most accurate. The latest work is 



