v.] CARNIVORA. 55 



processes, which clasp the anterior edge of the succeeding 

 spine. Similar processes are developed, but to a less extent, 

 in the Howling Monkeys (Mycetes) and in Lagothrix. 



The foramina for the exit of the spinal nerves, instead of 

 being " intervertebral," perforate the pedicles of the arches 

 in the Potto (Perodicticus). In the same genus, two or three 

 of the anterior thoracic vertebrae have very long slender 

 spinous processes, which in the living animal project beyond 

 the general level of the skin, forming distinct conical 

 prominences, covered only by an exceedingly thin and 

 naked integument. 



In the CARNIVORA, the trunk vertebrae are nearly always 

 20 or 21 in number. The genera Felis, Canis, and Viverra 

 have 13 thoracic and 7 lumbar, Hyana 15 and 5, Mustela, 

 Nasua, Procyon, and Ursus 14 and 6, Meles 15 and 5 > 

 Mephitis has the exceptionally high number of 16 and 6; 

 Mellirora but 14 and 4. Among the Seals, Cystophora, Otaria 

 and Phoca have 15 and 5, Trichecus and Stenorhynchus 

 14 and 6. 



The spines of the anterior thoracic vertebrae are long and 

 slender, and slope back to about the eleventh (the antidinai), 

 after which they are shorter, thicker (from before backwards), 

 and lean forwards. From this point also metapophyses and 

 anapophyses become distinctly developed ; the latter are 

 especially large in the Fdidce. The lumbar vertebra? have 

 long transverse processes directed forwards and rather 

 downwards, and short, stout, compressed spinous pro- 

 cesses. 



In the Seals, the trunk vertebrae present much the same 

 characters, but the anapophyses are usually but slightly 

 developed, or may be altogether absent, and the spinous 

 processes show no convergence to a " centre of motion." 



Among the INSECTIVORA, the number of the trunk vertebrae 



