270 



1405. A mutilated skull of a Peacock (Pavo cristatus). 



The occipital tubercle is reniform, notched above ; the paroccipitals join the transversely 

 extended sides of the basisphenoid, circumscribing the posterior boundary of the tympanic 

 cavity : the mastoid unites with the postfrontal. The fore part of the frontal has a rough 

 surface and a deep median notch. The long nasal process of the premaxillary is divided by 

 a median cleft. 



Hunterian. 

 Genus Meleagris. 



1406. The skeleton of a male Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo). 



There are 20 vertebrae between the skull and the sacrum, the last six of which bear move- 

 able ribs : of these the last four pairs are united to the sternum by haemapophyses ; a seventh 

 pair of ribs articulate with the sacrum. There are 6 caudal vertebrae. The calcaneal ossicle 

 which plays upon the inner and back part of the tibial trochlea is preserved in both legs. An 

 osseous splint, which seems to represent the proximal part of the metatarsal of the back toe, 

 is anchylosed by both its extremities to the other coalesced metatarsals. The stemum is ab- 

 normally twisted. The mastoid is confluent with the postfrontal. 



Mus. South. 



1407. The skeleton of a female Turkey (Meleayris Gallopavo). 



This is from a young individual, and two moveable vertebrae intervene between the 

 coalesced dorsals and the sacrum. The number of vertebrae between the skull and sacrum 

 is 21, of which the last seven have moveable ribs : of these the first two pairs are free ; the 

 rest are articulated with the sternum by heemapophyses ; those of the last pair supporting 

 rudiments of another pair of hfrmapophyses. There are 4 free caudal vertebrae. The 

 difference between the vertebral formula of this and the preceding skeleton depends merely 

 on the anchylosis of an additional vertebra in the older individual with the sacrum. 



Purchased. 



1408. The cranial part of the skull of a Turkey. 



The occiput is broader and more produced downwards than in the Peacock. The par- 

 occipital joins the basisphenoid, and the mastoid joins the postfrontal. The fore part of the 

 frontal is smooth and concave. 



Hunterian. 



Genus Numida. 



1409. The skeleton of the common Pintado, or Guinea-fowl (Numida Meleagris). 



Of the 20 vertebrae between the skull and sacrum, the last six bear moveable ribs, of 

 which the last four pairs are united to the sternum by haemapophyses ; a seventh pair of 

 ribs is attached to the sacrum. The caudal vertebrae are wanting. An obtuse crest of bone 

 is developed from the frontals. 



Mm. South. 



