406 HARRIS HAWTHORNE WILDER ON 
and thus strengthening the important articulation of the head with the vertebral column, 
and (3 and 4) two ossifications of the otic capsule. These, of which the anterior is the 
pro-otic, and the posterior the epi- and opisthotic combined, are in the form of hollow cups 
which fit over the anterior and posterior ends of the otic capsule, looking, to borrow W. 
K. Parker’s vivid simile (in Proteus), “as if they were ready to dehisce transversely like 
the pyxidium of the pimpernel (Anagallis) .” 
The Osseous Elements. 
The otic and occipital regions.—1. pro-otic. This very irregular bone consists 
essentially of a conical cap to which are added four projecting processes, one upon the 
inner and three upon 
the outer aspect. The 
inner process, the ala, is 
flat and wing-like and is 
appled along the outer 
edge of the base of the 
VENTRAL External Lateral. trabecula. Of the three 
(a) ( 6) processes which project 
Cenat fo Fos for ome from the external face 
P. q. Vv ant Nort Semi-€ Conas of Gn vert Sarai 
ale & N aa of the bone, the two an- 
Y hg. d . - Groove for ¢ 
cs ae ee ORE ort terior ones, dorsal and 
ay) 7 
* ventral quadrate proc- 
ou ; esses, possess concave 
ee and roughened articular 
VENTR. = 
Saris surfaces to recelve cor- 
DORSAL INTERNA B 
(c) (d) responding processes of 
ey : 
the quadrate cartilage. 
Fig. 8. Four views of the right pro-otic. p. q. d., dorsal quadrate process ; p. q. V., | ; 8 
ventral quadrate process ; f. sty. m., stylo-mastoid foramen. The ventral process 
may be considered an 
extension of the ala, and it receives a rounded protuberance situated in the middle of the 
posterior margin of the cartilaginous quadrate. The dorsal quadrate process forms the 
external dorsal edge of the bone and displays a more elongated articular surface for the 
reception of the otic process of the quadrate. The remaining external process has no 
relation with other skeletal parts and its probable use is that of attachment for some 
important muscle or ligament, as it is very constant in appearance and always well 
