474 



cannot be distinguished. None of the caudal epiphyses are removable, 

 but the line between them and their centra is clear as far as the 

 twelfth vertebra. Separable and independent nodules of bone are pre- 

 sent on the ends of the caudal representatives of the transverse pro- 

 cesses from the fourth to the seventh inclusive. On the eight vertebra 

 they have joined the caudal epiphysis, but can be recognised as lateral 

 prolongations of this epiphysis as far as the fourteenth vertebra. 

 There is an indication of the remains of a former epiphysis on the 

 mammillary process of the fourth to the sixteenth vertebra inclusive. 

 Separate nodules on the caudo-dorsal remains of the neural arch are 

 present on the ninth, tenth and eleventh vertebras; beyond which, ap- 

 parently, they have fused with the caudal epiphysis. 



Summarising: the first three vertebrae do not show any trace of 



epiphyses beyond those belonging to the body. From the fourth 



vertebra onwards are a series of eight epiphyses, more or less distinct 



from the rest of the vertebra, belonging to the cephalic and caudal 



remains of the transverse processes, the mam- 



^^■^* miliary processes and the vestiges of the neural 



i.--0'r^(^r^^ arch (Fig. 2). It is generally stated that the 



cephalic pair of the four processes on the dorsal 



surface of the middle members of the series of 



Fig. 2. Scheme of a caudal vertebra (about tlie 

 1 ninth). Dorsal aspect, ce.e. cephalic ejjiphysis. ca.e. caudal 



epiphysis. 1. epiphysis for cephalic part of transverse pro- 

 i. cess. 3. epiphysis for caudal part of transverse process. 

 S. epiphysis on mammillary process. 4- epiphysis on remains 

 ca.e. of neural arch. 



caudal vertebrae are representatives of the cephalic articular processes. 

 It appears, from the presence on them of distinct epiphyses serially 

 homologous with those on the mammillary processes, that it would be 

 just as reasonable, or even more so, to speak of them as represent- 

 ing mammillary processes. 



It is altogether remarkable that, degenerate though the caudal 

 vertebrae are, they still possess a wealth of epiphyses. Indeed, they 

 have ossific centres which are not present in other regions of the 

 vertebral column. 



Ribs. In lion No. 1 the epiphyses for the heads of all the ribs 

 are separable. In the second lion, though only three months older, 

 the ossification is complete. In the older lion, as previously stated, 

 the thirteenth (last) rib on the left does not articulate with the vertebral 

 column. Its distal end is pointed and carries no cartilage. 



Sternum. In both animals the sternum possesses the eight 



