242 



THE VERTEBRATE SKELETON. 



borne on outgrowths from the bases of the transverse pro- 

 cesses, and the postzygapophyses on outgrowths at the base of 

 the neural spine. 



The thoracic vertebrae behind the third have no hypa- 

 pophyses, and the capitular facets gradually come to be placed 

 nearer and nearer the ends of the transverse processes, at the 

 same time becoming less prominent ; otherwise these vertebrae 

 are just like the third. 



A B 



FIG. 42. ANTERIOR VIEW OF A, A LATE THOBACIC AND B, THE FIKST SACRAL 



VERTEBRA OF A YOUNG CROCODILE (C. palustris). X ^. 



1. neural spine. 4. sacral rib. 



5. surface which is united with 

 the ilium. 



neural spine. 



process bearing prezygapo- 



physis. 

 facet for articulation with the 



capitulum of the rib. 



6. 



concave anterior face of cen- 

 trum. 



In the first and second thoracic vertebrae the capitulum of 

 the rib articulates, not with a facet on the transverse process, 

 but with a little elevation borne at the line of junction of the 

 centrum and neural arch. 



THE LUMBAR VERTEBRAE. 



These are five in number, and are precisely like the 

 posterior thoracic vertebrae, except in the fact that the 

 transverse processes have no facets for the articulation of ribs. 



