Ml 



Jgreasirer/ increase in lateral and diminish in vertical extent ; the spinal canal i* 

 through the first five, and they are all moveable upon each other, excepting the 

 last two, which combine to form a vertebra analogous to the expanded terminal vertebra in 

 other birds, but which here exceeds the rest only in its greater length, and gradually dimi- 

 niahes to an obtuse point. In the Ostrich the corresponding vertebra is expanded for the 

 support of the cauilal plumes, but in the Aptrryx it offen the same inconspicuous develop- 

 ment as in the Khea and Emeu. 



The cervical vertebne present all the usual ornithic peculiarities. The single hypapophysi* 

 for the attachment of the complicated longu* coUi anticus is present iu the hut three vertr- 

 bnr, aa in the contiguous dorsals. The hypapophysial arch for the protection of the carotid 

 i i* first seen to be developed from the inner side of the parapophyse* of the twelfth 

 but the two sides of the arch are uot anchylosed together ; the interspace 

 progressively increases in the eleventh, tenth and ninth vertebne, and the groove widen* and 

 is lost at the fifth vertebra. The spinous process is thick and strong in the vertebra deu- 

 tala, but progressively diminishes to the seventh cervical vertebra, where it is reduced to a 

 mere tubercle ; from the eleventh it progressively increases to the last cervical, iu which it 

 presents the strong quadrate figure which characterises the same process in the donal ver- 

 tebne. 



The huge canal on each side for the vertebral artery and sympathetic nerve is formed by 

 the anchylosis of a rudimental rib to the extremities of an upper aud lower transverse pro- 

 cent ; the costal process diminishes in sue in the anterior cervical vertebrae : it is wanting in 

 the deiitata. though an arterial canal of very small site is present on each side of that ver- 

 tebra. In the atlas there are two small parapophyses, but no canal. The neurepophyial 

 bony arch increases in extent as the cervical vertebne approach the head, and in the third, 

 fourth and fifth vertebne this part is perforated by a small foramen on each side. Tin 

 cord is least protected by the vertebne in the middle of the neck, where there in the 

 l of notion : there is a depression on the anterior aud |x>tterior parts of tin 

 spine in the second, third, fourth, and iu the last six cervical vertebne. 



The dose resemblance of the Bird to the Reptile in its skeleton is well exemplified in the 

 young Ostrich, in which even when half-grown the costal appendages of the cervical region 

 of the vertebral column continue separate and moveable, as in the Crocodile. They are 

 to the fint fifteen vertebra- in the Aplrryx. The tint free or donal rib is a 

 style about an inch iu length ; the rest are remarkable for their breadth, which i* 

 relatively greater than in any other bird ; the Cassowary in this respect approaches nearest 

 to the Apteryx. The second, third, fourth and fifth ribs articulate with the sternum through 

 the medium of slender haemapophyses : those of the sixth also reach the sternum, but have 

 not been preserved in this skeleton. In the fint simple aud floating rib, the parti corre- 

 sponding to the head and neck are aluMt in contact. In the second rib a snort and strong 

 cervix, terminated by a hemispherical head, is given off below and in front of the tubercle, 

 and works in a corresponding socket at the anterior margin of the vertebra. The head and 

 tubercle, with the points of the vertebrae to which they are attached, intercept Urge fora- 

 mina corresponding to the vertebral foramina in the cervical region. Immediately below the 

 tubercle the rib suddenly expands, and then gradually narrows to it* lower end : the neck of 



