CHAPTER XXI. 



THE GANNET's osteology. 



Osteology of the Gannet — The Skull — Beak — The Olfactory 

 Apparatus — Sternum — Coracoid Bones — Clavicles — Pelvis — 

 Vertebral Column— Wings — Legs — Toes and Claws. 



Osteology of the Gannet. — In the Gannet we have an ocean- 

 bird of pecuhar habits, in which structure and function 

 answer to one another in a way which would be surprising, 

 did we not see the same principle at work in so many branches 

 of the animal kingdom. It is instructive to trace this 

 correspondence out to the fullest, and thereby demonstrate 

 the way in which each important bone is shaped in accord- 

 ance with the muscles and ligaments attached thereto ; and 

 again to see the manner in which that muscular system 

 combines with the air-cells, the skeleton, and even the 

 plumage, to give the Gannet the utmost faciHties for the 

 unique way in which it has to obtain a livelihood. 



One very noticeable point about this heavy plunging 



bird is, that not only is its body a receptacle for the storage 



of air, but its bones also hold a considerable quantity, 



either free or compressed. This is especially alluded to 



in a long and very complete memoir on the Gannet's 



II 2 



