470 MR. W. A. FORBES ON LEPTOSOMA DISCOLOR. [June 15, 



cal in shape, largest apically, and slightly tapering towards their 

 bases ; they measure respectively 2| and 2| inches. The liver has 

 the left lobe much the smallest ; there is a distinct gall-bladder. 



There is thus nothing striking or characteristic about the alimen- 

 tary canal. In the possession of large cylindrical cajca, Leptosoma 

 agrees with both Coraciidae (including Brachypteracias and Geobi- 

 astes) and Cuculidse, as also in most of the other points noted. In 

 the Cuckoos, however, the gall-bladder is said to be absent as a 

 rule^ 



Myology .^c— The first pectoral is big ; the second extends 



Fig. 2. 



emr. 



Wing-muscles of Leptosoma. 



Termination of the tensor •patagii brevis (t.p.br.) in Leptosoma. e.m.r., the 

 fleshy belly of the superficicai layer of the extensor metacarpi radialis longior 

 muscle ; t, the tubercle on the humerus, whence it arises ; above it the 

 humerus. P, the patagium, its dorsal layer having been removed to 

 show the muscles, &c. 



at least halfway down the sternum ; the third is not represented. 

 There is no liceps-&\\^ to the patagium, as is the case in all "Ano- 

 malogonatse " except the Caprimulgidae. In none of these points 

 does Leptosoma differ from the Coraciidae or Cuculidae. The ex- 

 pansor secundariorum is present and well developed ; its proximal 

 end is T-shaped (" ciconiiform,'" Garrod), the sternal part of the 

 tendon being attached to that bone at the junction of the costal pro- 

 cess with the body near the coracoid groove ; it therefore resembles 



^ Owen, Anat. Vert. ii. p. 177. Gadow also states its absence in Ciiculus. 

 Hunter, on the other hand, found it, though " very small," in C. canonts {I. s. c. 

 p. 285). According to the plates in Grandidier's work, Coua gigas has a gall- 

 bladder (pi. 631 ; so has Geobiastes squamige.ra (pi. 99. fig. 2). 



