83 
are 4 of them, consequently the 30% up to the 33°¢ included. They 
are characterized by a very reduced form. 
On the boundaries between the regions vertebrae may be found 
showing the peculiarities of vertebrae of two regions. 
Between the dorsal region and the lumbal region a vertebra may 
occur, bearing on one side of the body a small rib and on the other 
a processus lateralis. Such a vertebra is called dorsolumbal vertebra 
and indicated in the formula by d/. 
Between the last typical lumbal vertebra and the first sacral vertebra 
a vertebra may exist, touching either on the right or the left with 
its thickened processus lateralis the pars lateralis of the sacrum or 
uniting with it. This is a lumbosacral vertebra indicated by Js. 
Between the sacrum and the first caudal vertebra a vertebra may 
exist, not showing on one or on either side the connection with the 
pars lateralis, yet being united with the body of the preceding 
vertebra. This intermediate form is called a sacrocaudal vertebra 
and is indicated in the formula by scd. 
Now the ten forms of the vertebral column that are represented 
in the group of 80 specimens can be regarded more clesely. 
One of these forms is the “normal vertebral column”: it has the 
formula ///. 
The nine otbers differ among each other and with regard to the 
normal vertebral column especially in that part that contains the distal 
part of the dorsal region with the sternum and the arcus costarum 
and further all following regions in a distal direction. 
In the cervical region likewise differences are to be detected, they 
are however not so great, as to influence the formula. Though these 
differences are by no means without signification, I shall not discuss 
the cervical region, in order not to take up too much time, and 
I shall likewise pass over in silence the areus costarum and 
confine myself to that part of the vertebral column that begins at 
the 18% vertebra; this is in al/ specimens the 11 dorsal vertebra. 
By many authors the different forms of the vertebral column 
occurring beside the so called normal vertebral column, are in a 
certain respect contrasted with the latter. 
They are looked upon as variations or varieties or fluctuating 
modifications that are a result of the variability of the organism. 
These deviating forms are consequently regarded as oscillations, 
surrounding a constant form, representing the central point — i.e. 
the normal vertebral column — either at equal distances or in an 
irregular manner. 
