GALLING. 65 



their distribution is normal, the fle.vor perforans digitorum supply- 

 ing the three anterior digits, whilst the flexor longus hallucis passes 

 to the hallux or posterior digit alone (see Vol. I, p. 3). The ambiens 

 muscle is present, as are also the accessory femoro-caudal, the 

 semitendinosus, the accessory semitendinosus, and, except in Pea- 

 fowl and Turkeys, the femoro-caudal, so that in general all the 

 thigh-muscles are developed (see Vol. Ill, p. viii). Caeca of the 

 intestines are large. Both carotids are present, except in Mega- 

 podius, which has only the left one. 



The palate is schizognathous ; the nasals holorhinal. True 

 hasipterygoid processes are wanting, but there are sessile facets 

 situated far forward on the sphenoidal rostrum. Cervical ver- 

 tebra 16. The sternum has two deep incisions in the posterior 

 border on each side of the keel ; the inner xiphoid process be- 

 tween the two is shorter than the outer, which is bent over the 

 hinder ribs and expanded at the end. The episternal process of 

 the rostrum is completely perforated to receive the inner ends of the 

 coracoids. 



Fig. 13. The sternum of Lophophorus rrfulgem (Huxley, P. Z.S. 1868, p. 297): 

 r, rostrum; c.p., costal process; pt.o., metosteon; e.x. } external xiphoid 

 process; i.x., internal xiphoid process; l.o., lophosteon, bearing the carina, 

 [or keel), aud ending behind in m.x., the middle xiphoid process. 



All members of the order nest on the ground (the nidification 

 of the Meyapodiidce is peculiar) and lay numerous eggs. The young 

 are hatched covered with down, usually coloured with a pattern, 

 and are able to run very soon after leaving the egg. 



Gallince are generally distributed, but are divided into two sub- 

 orders, one of which is essentially northern, the other southern, 

 being almost confined to the Australian and Neotropical regions 

 (see Huxley, P. Z. S. 18(38, p. 294). The former is well repre- 

 sented in India ; of the latter a single species is found in th-3 

 Nicobar Islands. The suborders are thus distinguished : - 



Hallux raised above the level of the other toes . ALECTOROPODES, 

 Hallux on a level with the other toes PERISTEROPODESC 



TOL. IV. F 



