Anatomy &c. of the Colies. 241 
recessus tympanicus posterior and superior are only feebly 
developed. In this region of the skull Colius resembles 
Cypselus. 
The palate (text-fig. 18) has never been properly inter- 
preted. Generally it is described as directly desmognathous ; 
but this is not the case. Asa matter of fact, the maxillo- 
palatines are extremely reduced—-so much so, that they 
cannot be exposed without first carefully removing the 
underlying palatines. This done, it becomes manifest that 
Text-fig. 18. 
Ventral aspect of the same skull, to shew the arrangement of the palatine 
bones. X2. Theasterisk marks the articular surfice for the lower 
jaw (p. 243). 
mx.p.=maxillo palatine process. vo.=vomer, 
1.s.=nasal septum. pt.=pterygoid. 
pa.= palatine. 
the desmognathism is due to the inflation of the inferior 
border of the nasal septum and the ossification of the 
cartilage of the floor of the vestibulum, which forms two 
descending wings expanding, laterally, to fuse with the 
vestigial maxillo-palatine plate (text-fig. 19, p. 242). 
Murie (11), in describing the palate of Colius leucotis, 
wrote: “As respects the presence of a vomer, there is 
SER, 1X.—VOL. I. R 
