i J :, 



neurapophyse* : it also preaentu a concave articular surface anteriorly for thr lower put of 

 the ba*iorci|>ul tubercle, and umilar surface behind for the detached central part of tin 

 body of the atla*. or ' odontoid proce** of the axis.' The bate of each ncurapophysis ha* an 

 antero-intemal articular surface for the exoccipital tubercle, the middle one for the hy}wpo- 

 physi*, and a postero-internal (urface for the upper and lateral parU of the odontoid : they 

 thu* r*t on both the feparmted part* of their proper centrum. The neurapophyne* rt|iil 

 and arch over the neural canal, but meet without coalescing. There in no neural ipine. Kach 

 neurapophyais develnpcs from iu upper and hinder border a thort lygapophysis, and from 

 iU tide a till shorter diapophyria, 



Putrktuted. 



The axis or second vertebra of the trunk, with the partially coalesced body of 

 the atlas or ' odontoid process ' of the same Python. 



The odontoid present* a convex tubercle anteriorly, which fill* up the articular cavity in 

 the at Ian for the occipital tubercle : below thu in the surface for the hypapophysial part of 

 the atlas, and above and behind it are the two surfaces for the atlantal neurapophyses : the 

 whole posterior surface of the odontoid is anchylosed to the proper centrum of the axis, anil 

 in part to its hypapophysis. 



The neural arch of the axis developes a short riblrsa diapophysis from each side of its base ; 

 a thick sub-bifid lygapophysu from each side of the posterior margin ; and a moderately long 

 bent-back spine from its upper |>art. The centrum terminates in a ball behind, and below 

 this sends downwards and backwards a long hypapophysis. 



606. An anterior trunk-vertebra or cervical vertebra of a Python, showing its cha- 



racteristic, long, retrovcrted hypa|K>physi8. Pvrcha*rd. 



607. Two anterior vertebra- of the trunk of a Python characterized by the inferior 



hypapophysis. Purchawd. 



60**. Two vertebra; from the middle or posterior region of the trunk of a Pythou, in 

 which the hypapophysis is reduced to a small tubercle. The interlocking of 

 these vertebrae by their characteristic complex zygapophyses and oblique, deep, 

 ball-and-socket union, limit* their reciprocal movements to a slight amount of 

 rotation on the horizontal plane. Purchased. 



609. Two posterior alxlotninal vertebrae of the tnmk of a Python, in which the 

 hypapophysis is replaced by a ridge and tubercle. The ribs which are here 



