GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS. 355 



Symplectic. The bone in fishes that keys together the hyomandibular 

 and quadrate posteriorly. 



Syndactyle. Having two toes immovably united for some distance, 

 as in the Kingfisher. 



Synonym. A different word having the same or a similar meaning. 



Synonomy. A collection of different names for the same group, species, 

 or thing ; " a burden and a disgrace to science." ( Cones.) 



Tail. In mammals, the vertebrae, etc., posterior to the sacrum ; in 

 birds, the tail-feathers or rectrices, taken collectively ; in serpents, 

 the part of the body posterior to the vent ; in fishes (usually), the 

 part of the body posterior to the anal fin. (Often used more or 

 less vaguely.) 



Tail coverts. The small feathers overlapping the bases of the rec- 

 trices. 



Tarso-metatarsus. The correct name for the so-called tarsus of birds ; 

 the bone reaching from the tibia to the toes, composed chiefly of 

 the metatarsus, but having at its top one of the small tarsal bones 

 confluent with it. 



Tarsus. The ankle-bones collectively ; in birds, commonly used for 

 the shank-bone, lying between the tibia and the toes, the tarso- 

 metatarsus. 



Tectrices. The wing and tail coverts. 



Temporal. Pertaining to the region of the temples. 



Tenuirostral. Slender-billed. 



Terete. Cylindrical and tapering. 



Terminal. At the end. 



Tertials. The quills attached to the humerus. 



Tessellated. Marked with little checks or squares, like mosaic work. 



Thoracic. Pertaining to the chest ; ventral fins are thoracic when at- 

 tached immediately below the pectorals, as in the perch, the pelvic 

 bones being fastened to the shoulder girdle. 



Tibia. Shin-bone ; inner bone of leg between knee and heel. 



Tomium. Cutting edge of the bilL 



Totipalmate. Having sdlfour toes connected by -webbing. 



Tragus. The inner lobe of the ear ; the lobe opposite the auricle. 



Transverse. Crosswise. 



Trenchant. Compressed to a sharp edge. 



Truncate. Abrupt, as if cut squarely off. 



Tubercle. A small excrescence, like a pimple. 



Tympanum. Drum of the ear; external in some Batrachia, etc. 



Typical. Of a structure the most usual in a given group. 



Ulna. The inner or posterior bone of the fore-arm. 



Unguiculate. Provided with claws. 



Ungulate. Provided with hoofs. 



Unicolor. Of a single color. 



Ultimate. Last or farthest. 



Urosteges. The plates underneath the tail of a serpent. 



Vent. The external opening of the alimentary canal. 



Ventral. Pertaining to the abdomen. 



