1879.] TRACHEA OF THE GALLINjE. 361 



It develops a considerable angle on its convex border in front, at 

 the spot where the next semiring meets it. Behind it is peculiar 

 from its inconsiderable thickness, it meeting the corresponding ex- 

 tremity of the last tracheal ring for some distance, opposite wbich 

 part it is so narrow that the expanded hinder end of the second 

 semiring does not manage to reach it, and remains separated by a 

 small interval. This second semiring meets it in front, and sends 

 inwards beyond the articulating spot a pointed process of some 

 length. The lower bronchial rings are similarly pointed and pro- 

 longed in front. 



The bronchidesmus is powerful, at the same time that its posterior 

 margin is the place of insertion of the pair of contiguous powerful 

 muscles that runs down the back of the windpipe, and spreads 

 laterally so much as to bejust seen in the anterior view of the organ. 



The windpipe of Oreortyx pictus differs in detail from that of 

 the bird just described. The penultimate and last rings of the 

 trachea blend in the mid- anterior and posterior line ; whilst behind 

 the antepenultimate does so also, articulating in front. The next 

 four rings anteriorly are lozenge-shaped in the middle line, the six 

 above which are uniformly thinned ; but the intervals between them 

 are much less considerable than in Lophortyx calif ornicus. Pos- 

 teriorly there are no interannular intervals at all. The bronchial 

 semirings, the posterior muscles, and the bronchidesmus are as in 

 Lophortyx. 



In Arboricola atrogularis the bifurcating portion of the windpipe 

 most closely resembles that of the American Quails. With no 

 posterior interannular intervals, those in front are deep and twelve 

 or so in number, being interrupted, in the case of that between the 

 last and penultimate rings, by a large medio-anterior lozenge-shaped 

 ossification which unites them, but continuous above except that a 

 fine fibrous band runs up the tube, as in Lophortyx, previously de- 

 scribed. The thinned antero-lateral element of the last ring has a slight 

 special downward curve towards its inner end. In Oreortyx there 

 is an indication of the same. The second bronchial semiring is 

 prolonged inwards pointedly in front, and posteriorly does meet the 

 first semiring to articulate slightly with it. 



In Coturnix communis, with which C. coromandelica agrees in 

 every respect, the posterior surface of the intrathoracic portion of 

 the trachea is seen to be formed by rings between which no inter- 

 annular intervals exist, except as transverse lines. Anteriorly, 

 however, the rings are very much thinner, becoming so abruptly at 

 the side of the tube, and the intervals between them are nearly 

 twice their depth, even more than that towards the bifurcation of 

 the tube. Narrow medio-anterior perpendicular isthmuses of fibrous 

 tissue connect the lowermost six rings. Laterally the penultimate 

 ring is slightly upturned, more behind than in front. The antero- 

 lateral thin portion of the circumference of the last ring is decidedly 

 convex downwards, as is also the first bronchial semiring and the 

 second. The last tracheal ring sends downwards a medio-anterior 

 oblong process, ossified in the adult, to the lower angles of which 



