Petf.rson : Moirx 1 F.D Skeleton of Stknomyi.us hitchcocki. 269 



type specinuMi of this .s|3ecies figurcfl and described by Dr. Loomis 

 (/. c, p. 299) we get a very fair idea of proportions, but in a full relief, 

 there is always something added, or more prominently brought out, 

 whitli is more or less obscure even in a half-relief. In a properly artic- 

 ulated skeleton there is conveyed a more accurate conception of the 

 form of the thoracic cavity, the position, and relative angles of the 

 vertebral coin inn and the different limb-bones, which is not to be 

 derived from a half-relief mounted in the position in which it was 

 found in the field. 



The jiresent restoration, prepared h>- Mr. Scrafino Agostini, is 

 composed of six individuals,^ of which the skull, jaws, atlas, eleventh, 

 and twelfth dorsals, the seven lumbars, and the pelvis belong to one 

 individual. No. 2779; the last cervical, the dorsal and caudal regions, 

 the limbs, and the feet to a second individual, No. 2780; the fourth, 

 fifth and si.\th cervicals and the sacrum to a third individual, No. 2782; 

 while the axis and the sternum pertain to Nos. 2782 and 2783 respec- 

 tively. 



In comparing the skeleton with that of the recent South American 

 lama it may be said that the head is proportionally smaller, the neck 

 is somewhat longer and slenderer, but ascends from the vertebrae of 

 the trunk in a similar manner, i. e., the seventh and sixth cervicals 

 when articulated properly are directed forward and upward, not for- 

 ward and downward as in Cameliis hactrianiis. The thoracic cavity 

 is somewhat larger than in the lama, but the number of ribs are the 

 same (twelve) and also flattened in the same general manner. The 

 sternum is composed of six segments which are quite heavy, the manu- 

 brium and xiphisternum being proportionally larger than in the lama, 

 but the sternum as a whole has not the successive increase in vertical 

 thickness of each sternebra from before backward, as in the latter. 

 The lumbar vertebrae (seven in number) are very similar to those in 

 the recent form; they are, however, longer, with the centra somewhat 

 more compressed laterall}-, and the neural spines directed forward 

 at a greater angle. The sacrum is composed of four well-coossified 

 centra. The sacrum as a whole is not so broad as in the lama and the 

 neural spines are heavier, while the sacral foramina back of the first 

 pair are quite inconspicuous when compared with the large ones in 

 the recent form. The tail is short and light; there are usually sixteen 



'The disarticulated skeletons in this quarrry always have the bones less crushed 

 and make more perfect free mounts than those found articulated. 



