1916] Chandler: Structure of Feathers 249 
with their chief adherents in the case of terms not commonly used 
as alternatives. In a few cases new terms had to be coined, or old 
ones re-defined, but it is hoped that the terminology here used will 
meet with the approval of other workers, and come into general 
Aa 
ZA 
-<h= 4->---in.v. 
a 
aftersh. -- ---- Sage 
Fig. A. Typical contour feather. Abbreviations: aftersh., aftershaft; cal., 
calamus; down. str., downy structure; in. v., inner vane; out. v., 
outer vane; pen. str., pennaceous structure; sh., shaft. 
use, a thing which would go a long way towards establishing sim- 
plicity and clearness in the description of feathers and their strue- 
tures. The terminology suggested is as follows: 
TERMS OF ORIENTATION. In speaking of a feather, or any of its structures, 
“dorsal” and “ventral’’ are used as intrinsic terms, i. e., with refer- 
ence to the feather itself, regardless of its position on the bird, dor- 
sal meaning, therefore, the side of the feather which is usually exposed, 
or that opposite the superior umbilicus, which is considered to be 
upon the ventral side Lateral is used with reference to the dorso- 
