924 THE OSTEOLOGY AND MYOLOGY OP THE DEATH ADDER, 



continue back, we find the neural spine becoming broader antero- 

 posteriorly, while the hypapophysis becomes shorter, and slopes 

 downwards and backwards. The vertebrae as a whole become 

 more stoutly made until we reach the fiftieth, which constitutes 

 the base of the anterior pyramid. From this onwards we have 

 the vertebrae decreasing in size, the neural spines becoming 

 shorter, and springing from the whole length of the line of 

 junction of the laminae, while the hypapophyses also become 

 shorter and more pointed. At the 126th vertebra we have the 

 ribs ceasing, and in their place we now get two processes the 

 exact nature of which has caused much discussion. 



If we examine the vertebrae from this point to the 132nd we 

 shall find that these processes spring from the transverse pro- 

 cesses, the superior one arising from the upper tubercle, the 

 inferior from the lower tubercle. A few vertebrae further back 

 we have the superior process disappearing, and represented by a 

 small projection only, from the surface of the inferior one ; the 

 appearance presented being similar to the letter k^. Still further 

 back the superior process disappears entirely. At the vertebra 

 where the ribs cease we have frequently a well-marked rod of 

 bone, anchylosed to the superior portion of the rib, and freely 

 movable by its inner extremity on the superior tubercle of the 

 transverse process. This occupies such a position as the superior 

 of the two processes mentioned above. It is to be noted that 

 when this occurs we do not find the tubercle of the rib present. 



Many conjectures have been hazarded as to the real nature of 

 these processes. Rochebrune says, " Contrairement a Topinion de 

 Meckel ces apophyses ne sont pas dues a une bifurcation de la 

 cote, la superieure est constituee par la pleurapophyse modifiee 

 et soudee au centrum ; Tinferieure est due au developpement 

 exagere de la parapophyse, interpretation vers laquelle penche R. 

 Owen." Owen says, " The diapophyses become much longer in 

 the caudal vertebrae and support in the anterior ones short ribs, 

 which usually become anchylosed to their extremities." Hofi'mann 

 says, " Ganz eigenthiimlich ist die Erscheinung, dass wort wo die 



