124 



NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 



RED-BELLIED SALAMANDER, DIEMYCTYLUS TOROSUS 

 SPOTTED SALAMANDER, SALAMANDRA MACULOSA 



In the radiograph of the copperhead (Aiicistrodon contortrix) 

 the vertebrse, corresponding- in number approximately to the gas- 

 trosteges, are easily counted. 



In general the importance of the radiograph for natural history 

 purposes seems to have been neglected. 



It shows at once, for instance, the relations of the skeletal 

 framework to the exterior outline and to some of the soft parts, 

 especially the swim-bladder, the natural positions of the bones 

 of the skeleton, undistorted by the drying of the ligamentary 

 attachments, which takes place in the mounted skeleton, and dif- 

 ferences between closely related forms, where superficial charac- 

 ters are not well marked. The advantage of seeing bones in their 

 natural relations and without art effect is apparent. The delicate 

 parts are preserved, especially the connective-tissue bones. 



Radiographs of reptiles, mammals, birds, etc., would undoubt- 

 edly be suggestive to the paleontologist in attempting to define the 

 exterior outlines of extinct forms. 



Many parts of the skeleton are seen clearly enough in the radio- 

 graph for purposes of study and drawing. In fact, the drawing of 



