1865. ] OF PHYSALUS ANTIQUORUM. 219 
The fifteen dorsal vertebree have not such varied characters as the 
cervical. Their bodies are large, thick, and cylindrical, tolerably 
equal in size, the average height being about 8 inches, with a width 
of 112 and a thickness or antero-posterior extent of 11 inches; the 
articulating surfaces are flattened. The transverse processes come 
from the upper portion of the bodies. Excepting the few first, these 
are thin, broad, straight, and flattened from above downwards ; 
slightly narrowed at their necks, widening and thickening at the 
outside free margins, which are curved and hollowed according to 
the extent of indentation or groove for the attachment of the rib. 
The laminz forming the arch are broad (particularly in the front 
vertebre), and meet rather high, at an acute angle, forming a large 
triangular cavity for the spinal cord. The spinous process is of con- 
siderable size, averaging 11 inches in length and 7 inches in breadth, 
rather widest at the truncated extremity. Among the first dorsal 
vertebrze it is inclined forwards, in those further behind sharply 
backwards, and in the few last so much so as to rake far behind the 
body. In the anterior vertebre the metapophyses of Owen* arise 
from the body, where the lamina and transverse process meet, but 
in the posterior vertebree from the lamina alone. They are narrower 
at their necks than at their free extremities, and have a direction 
upwards and forwards. Their average height and breadth is from 
4 to 5 inches. 
Series of Measurements to illustrate the comparative Dimensions of 
the Dorsal Vertebre, in inches. 
© °. 
ees RT =o hn fe A a] 2 |3 |¢ 3 F 
See. (Sses |S 12 leSles les | zal 28/8/48 
SsBeERz| 52 "| Ssiornloes|CHsl Ce Bel eel| oul, oe 
Ex ao Seal een |solec|cAalatd|a%s flee] 68 
Dorsal | SSR S2ISSEl FEISS SS | So |SeoSliS 08 S2/S2| Be) Se 
vertebre. | 289) 29 3/80] 22) 52| P2/S28)/S25\ colag|/ Pelee 
SSSSlSsae Sl / Ss] Ss selfee Ssaise sel ssies 
efisesils |2 |e |7sl=2 |Fa | ee] se) 7el” z 
O25 lo5a/e [5 2 Ee a a |& Ra = = 
BS |Ogeis 5 #| 6 | & |e [a 
Ist....| 32 143 | 11$] 74 | 32 }12 | 2 13 | 4 “i 3 1} 
3rd 283 184 | 123) 74 | 53 {102} 33 | 5 bi |] .. | 32] 
5th 314 | 223 | 114] 72 | 6% |11¢| 44 | 6 7 Re Ress 
7th 323 | 233 1103] 8 | 72/133) 42 | 72 18 |6 14 | 
9th 39 23% | 114) 8% | 8$ | 134] 5 7% | 8t | 53] 5 5 
11th 39% | 24 {114] 83 | 83 |14 | 5 7% | 73 | 6 53 | 53 
13th 393 | 244 | 113 82 | 14 DE | FE [8 GF OSE 
15th 344 | 23 {114 83 | 14%] 54 | 8 8 | 63]}5 | 5 
The most striking differences in the dorsal vertebree are as fol- 
lows:—In the first the transverse process is compressed antero- 
posteriorly, as in the seventh cervical; the articulation for the rib is 
at its outer extremity, and inclined towards the under surface. In 
~ the second the neural spine is large, triangular, the apex pointing for- 
wards and upwards. The metapophysis begins to be of marked di- 
* See Prof. Owen’s article “On the Megatherium,” Phil. Trans. 1851, p. 739. 
