Special Osteology, Sectorialia. 39 



fourteen of these usually bear moveable ribs. In Ratehis the neural arches of 

 the last five cervical vertebrae are longer than their centra, and overlap each other 

 in an imbricated manner. In Cercoleptes (Kinkajou) the tail is prehensile. 



Pinnigrada. The number of true vertebra} is the same as in the Plantigrada^ 

 The perforated transverse processes of the third to the sixth ccrvicals inclusive 

 are generally remarkable for the distinctness of their di- and pleur-apophysial 

 parts. The anapophyses form mere rudimental projections from the back part of 

 the diapophyses. The neural arches of the middle dorsal vertebrae are frequently 

 vrithout spines and very narrow, leaving wide intervals of the neural canal impro- 

 tected. The manubrium is occasionally (P. Greenlandica) much produced. The 

 Lumbar vertebra) have a strong hyp-apophysial ridge which divides into two 

 tuberous processes indicative of the great development of the muscles of the trunk 

 necessary to the shuffling motion of this Sub -order. 



The Scapular arch and appendages. The Clavicles are always more 

 or less rudimentary ; small clavicular styles'^* being usually present. 

 The Scapula is always broad and has a well developed spine ; the 

 acromion is developed sometimes simple, sometimes bifurcate ; the 

 coracoid also varies in size. The Humerus is much bent, the articu- 

 lar head lies out of the axis, the deltoid ridge is long and strong ; 

 there are strong ridges from the outer and inner sides above the con- 

 dyles for extending the origins of the muscles of the paw : and the 

 inner condyle is very commonly perforated, to defend the main nerve 

 (median) and artery (brachial) of the fore-leg from compression 

 during the action of those muscles. The Radius and Ulna are 

 entire, but not always distinct, being fixed when swift course is 

 their principal function. The compound ScapJio-lunar is common to 

 the Carpus of all Sectorialia. The innermost Digit is often stunted 

 or absent. 



Digihgrada. All have the clavicular styles. The humerus is pierced between 

 the condyles but not above the inner condyle in all (exc. Felidse, in which the 

 reverse is the case). The radius and ulna, are closely and extensively united in 

 the Canidse and Hysenidse. The supplementary ossicle at the radial side of the 

 carpus is present in most Yiverridse and Canidse. Tha poUex, small in other 

 families, is retained in the Felidse, and, like the other toes, is terminated by a 

 large, compressed, retractile, unequal phalanx, forming a deep sheath for the firm 

 attachment of the large, curved, and sharp pointed claws. 



Semi-Plantigrada. The acromion is generally distinctly bifurcate. The 

 humerus in Lutra is remarkable for the compression of the shaft, which is 

 strongly bent forwards. 



Plantigrada. The clavicle is wholly wanting or very rudimentary. The 

 scapula is remarkable for its almost quadrate form, and for the strong develop- 

 ment of the ridge between the infraspinatus and teres major, constituting almost 



Ossicles suspended in the muscles and not extending from the aromion to 

 the Ptcrnum. 



