On Reproduction of Lost Parts and Abnormality. 367 



marks. In this case -Jths of an inch of bone had been added 

 in the process of reproduction. Owen says, "no instance of 

 the restored tail shows ossified vertebrae." It is thus not 

 unlikely that the external marks of break may be in the 

 integument alone. This might have been shown under 

 dissection, but I was unwilling to interfere with the specimen 

 before showing it to the Society. In the same way also it 

 might have been ascertained whether we have in both forks, 

 severally, proportional distribution of the extensor and flexor 

 muscles of the tail. The tendency to divide can be seen 

 over If in. before it takes place, and the free forks are 1-J in. 

 in length ; the whole length of the abnormal tail will thus 

 be If in. Another specimen is shown, which also bears 

 marks of injury ; but if this is also an instance of reproduc- 

 tion, there has been no tendency to divide. The tail is 

 symmetrical, though not of the normal length, and, as ascer- 

 tained by probing, the ossified vertebra are present. The 

 third specimen bears clear marks of break, but the example 

 seems one of repair and not reproduction, for the tail is of 

 the usual length and the vertebrse entire throughout. All 

 the specimens were obtained from Old Calabar. 



Eeference has already been made to the frequent occur- 

 rence of the loss of parts among the reptilia. This may at 

 once be seen by taking the order Sauria and glancing over 

 any work on regional representatives of the order, as, say Gun- 

 ther's " Eeptilia of British India " (Eay Society, 1864). Such 

 notices as the following occur : Acontiadidee ; Nessidbnrtoni — 

 tail elongate, generally shorter than the body from its being 

 constantly broken off and reproduced. Geckotidse ; Gecko — 

 tail generally verticillated, and breaks off so readily, that the 

 slightest fear will make them shake off their tails. When 

 the tail is reproduced it is rounder and thicker. Hemidactylus 

 maculatus — tail more rounded than before it was broken off. 

 EuUepharis — tail fragile and easily reproduced. It is worth 

 noting, however, that as to Draco, Gunther says — "We 

 have never seen a Dragon in which the tail had been repro- 

 duced, nor, indeed, with this member mutilated. Perhaps 

 the tail is necessary for their peculiar locomotion." 



I had intended to refer to reproduction of lost parts 



