599 



lary artery enters the fore part of the upper third of the shaft of the femur : the expanse of 

 the distal end of this bone is remarkable. The scaphoid and cuboid have coalesced in the 

 tarsus, as in other true Ruminants. The osseous bases of the horns are articulated by syn- 

 chondrosis over the coronal suture to both frontal and parietal bones. The grinding teeth in 

 place consist of the three milk -molars (d 2, d 3, d 4) and the first and second true molars 

 (m 1, m 2), with part of the third (m 3), which has almost come into place. 



Purchased. 



3618. The skull of a male Cape Giraffe (Camelopardalis Giraffd). 



The exoccipitals form a marked protuberance above the foramen magnum and below a deep 

 fossa for the implantation of the ligamentum nuchae. The parietals are chiefly situated on 

 the upper surface of the skull ; the osseous horn-cores, which were originally distinct, have 

 been anchylosed, across the coronal suture, equally to the parietals and frontals : the right one 

 is divided longitudinally, to show the extension of the frontal and parietal sinuses into its 

 lower fourth, the rest of the horn-core being a solid and dense bone. The protuberance upon 

 the frontal and contiguous parts of the nasal bones is entirely due to an enlargement of those 

 bones, and not to any distinct osseous part : its surface is roughened by vascular impressions. 

 The lacrymal is separated from the nasal by a large vacuity intervening between those bones, 

 the frontal and the maxillary. The premaxillaries, which are of unusual length, articulate 

 with the nasals : all the permanent teeth have been acquired, except the canines, which were 

 cutting the gum. The alveolar processes of the upper jaw have been divided by a horizontal 

 section, exposing the antrum or sinuses of the maxillaries. The petro-tympanic is a separate 

 bone. The symphysis of the lower jaw is unusually long and slender. 



This specimen, with some of the cervical vertebrae, and cylindrical bones of the extremi- 

 ties, together with the skin, which is stuffed and has been transferred to the British Museum, 

 were brought to England by Lieut. William Paterson, who had been sent by the Hon. Lady 

 Strathmore on a botanical expedition into Caffraria and other parts of Africa, till then unex- 

 plored, and were by her Ladyship presented to Mr. Hunter. Vide Paterson's ' Narrative of 

 Four Journeys into the Country of the Hottentots in 1777, 1778, 1779,' p. 126. 



Huntcrian. 



3619. The skull of a female Giraffe (Camelopardalis Giraffd). 



All the permanent teeth are in place : the base of the cranium has been removed, exposing 

 the cranial cavity and the large air-cells of its parietes. The chief sexual distinction is seen 

 in the smaller proportional size of the horn-cores, which retain their independence, and well 

 display their relations to the frontal and parietal bones. 



Mug. Brookes. 



3620. A longitudinally bisected skull of a male Giraffe (Camelopardalis Gira/a), 

 wanting the horn-cores. 



It demonstrates the great extent of the air-cells, especially in the upper wall of the cranium. 



Mus. Brookes. 



