Special Osteology. Bimana. 27 



OSTEOLOGY. Special 



The ShulL The united area of the cranial bones exceeds that of 

 the facial bones very considerably. The width between the outside 

 edge of each orbit does not exceed the extreme width of the cra- 

 nium between the parietal eminences. An inner plate is developed 

 from the Malar bone, which is united with the great ala of the 

 sphenoid, and forms with it a wall by which the cavity of the orbit 

 is so separated from the temporal fossa, that a fissure alone is left. 

 The Nasal aperture is frequently half as large as the orbit ; it is 

 situated between the lower borders of the orbit j the nasal bones are 

 arched transversely. The ethmoid has a crista galli. The peri- 

 hery or alveolar border of the Upper Jaw forms a continuous semi- 

 elliptic curve, uninterrupted by the projection of a:ny one excessively 

 developed alveolus. The bony Palate is deep and broad, though 

 short ; is arched both lengthwise and transversely ; and is formed 

 by the palatines, maxillaries, and small confluent pre-maxillaries, 

 supporting the incisor teeth. The plane of the alveolar border of 

 the upper jaw, passes through the floor of the cranial cavity ; the 

 whole cranium being much expanded backwards and downwards ; 

 and the Foramen Magnum^ which is placed near the centre of the 

 base of the skull, approaching the horizontal direction. The 

 Mandible has a well-defined and not^ rounded angle : the rami 

 become united in the median line at an early period before or after 

 birth : the symphysis menti forms with the base of the rami a 

 sharp angle, and has its lower border frequently slightly turned up 

 anteriorly. The body of the ITyoid bone (basi-hyal), is compressed 

 antero-posteriorly, and curved and extended transversely j but not 

 expanded or excavated behind. The lesser cornua of the hyoid 

 (cerato-hyals) are represented by mere tubercles. The Stylo-hyal 

 is anchylosed with the ' Temporal' bone, forming the 'styloid pro- 

 cess.' The Jugular processes are very small, but the Mastoids are 

 well developed. The Intermaxillaries are not distinct on the facial 

 surface. 



