422 



in length. The anapophysis decreases in size in the following lumbar vertebrae and dis- 

 appears in the last ; the metapophysis also decreases in size, but is continued throughout the 

 lumbar series and along part of the sacral. The transverse processes of the three anterior 

 sacrals join the ilia ; those of the three posterior ones coalesce to form a broad depressed 

 plate, with the posterior angles produced, but not joining the ischia. A long and strong 

 process is sent out from above the tuber ischii. Metapophyses are developed from the out- 

 side of the anterior zygapophyses, as far as these extend along the caudal series, viz. to the 

 eighth vertebra ; beyond these the metapophyses are developed, independently of the zyg- 

 apophyses, to near the termination of the tail. The haemal arches commence below the 

 interspace between the second and third caudals, and are continued as far as that between the 

 sixteenth and seventeenth. The neural arch disappears upon the sixteenth caudal vertebra. 

 The hyoid arch is preserved in this skeleton, and consists of the stylohyal, ceratohyal, epi- 

 hyal, and basihyal elements, with the appended thyrohyals, or ' cornua majora.' The cla- 

 vicles are complete : the humerus is perforated above the inner condyle. There is a fabella 

 behind the outer condyle of the femur. Other modifications of the locomotive extremities, 

 with the chief characters of the cranium, have been described and figured by Cuvier in the 

 'Recherches sur les Ossemens Fossiles,' torn. v. pt. 1. 



Purchased. 



The following are parts of the same skeleton of the Orycteropus capensis : 



Mm. South. 



2337. The mutilated skull. 



The petromastoid and tympanic are distinct from each other, and retain their primitive 

 separation from the squamosals. The occipital condyles are bilobed, the inferior and smaller 

 lobe being developed from the basioccipital. The zygomatic arch is slender, but entire. The 

 calvarium has been removed, showing the well-marked venous fossa, which depresses the 

 inner border of the foramen magnum ; the large and moderately deep sella, with anterior and 

 posterior deep clinpid processes, bounded on each side by the carotid channels, external to 

 which are the deeper Gasserian fossae. There are few mammalian skulls in which the cra- 

 nial cavity is more equally divided into the epencephalic, mesencephalic, prosencephalic and 

 rhinencephalic chambers ; but the mesencephalic chamber contains not only the proper mes- 

 encephalon, but also, as in other Mammalia, part of the backwardly developed prosencepha- 

 lon, and especially those inferior protuberances called ' natiform.' The petrosals show very 

 narrow cerebellar fossae. 



2338. The right ramus of the lower jaw, with the five teeth exposed in situ. 



The four posterior teeth have been longitudinally bisected, showing their solidity and uni- 

 form diameter : the appearance of fangs, and of the pulp-cavity in the third, is due to the 

 section being carried through the bottom of one of the lateral grooves, which indents the ex- 

 terior of this and the succeeding tooth. In the upper jaw there is a small tooth anterior to 

 the five corresponding to those below, and also the indication of a more minute rudimental 

 tooth in advance. 



