454 DR. J. MURIE ON SAIGA TARTARICA. [June 9, 
shortening of the body and transverse processes—in the latter being 
more bulbous terminally, and slightly upturned—in lengthening of 
the spine, which is uncleft—in a gradual increase of laminar arch- 
ing—in separative distinctness of a metapophysial projection—in an 
alteration of the position of the transverse process to the pleurapo- 
physis, so that they begin to be superior and inferior to each other 
instead of antero-posterior—in diminution of the ventral keel, which, 
however, is more inflated posteriorly. 
At the sixth cervical, the inclination of the neck towards the 
shoulders is apparent. This vertebra altogether is shortened length- 
wise and across; but the elongation of the spinous and pleurapo- 
physial elements vastly increases the total depth. The changes ob- 
served in the fifth are here continued and augmented : for example, 
the neural spine is almost twice as long in the sixth; the inferior 
mesial ridge of the body is reduced to a hardly perceptible linear 
elevation; the transverse process and pleurapophysis have under- 
gone such relations that the latter is absolutely posterior, its incli- 
nation is in that direction, and its breadth twice as great as in the 
preceding vertebra. 
The seventh vertebra, as usual, puts on characters which assi- 
milate it to the dorsal series. The most notable of these is the 
great elongation and backward direction of the spinous process ; 
next, the total absence of pleurapophysis and foramina for the ver- 
tebral arteries ; and lastly, the presence of a small costal facet. 
Transition to dorsal vertebree, though manifest in the last cervi- 
cal, is yet somewhat abrupt, the first dorsal being altogether larger, 
with proportionally an enormously developed spine Moreover its 
body, as commencing the dorsal region ventrally, is set at an obtuse 
angle to those of the neck, the plane of the former being directed 
upwards and backwards, the latter upwards and forwards. 
The pattern of the bodies of the dorsal vertebree is twofold; but 
they run into each other; viz. as far as the 5th or 6th they are 
broadish and convex inferiorly, thence to the lumbar region laterally 
compressed and slightly carinate. 
The laminz throughout correspond to the length and strength of 
the spinous process. Where this is long and stout, the laminar 
arch is more acute, and, inversely, lower and arciform as the neura- 
pophysis shortens. 
The spine of the first dorsal is very slightly shorter, and tapers 
more than the 2nd and 3rd, and equals the 4th in length, which 
latter has a truncate tip. These four spines slant well backwards. 
At the 8th or 9th vertebra an alteration is apparent, and, from the 
long spatular shape directed posteriorly, the spines become short, 
more erect, with an anterior terminal elongation, and at the last 
dorsal the change to the lumbar type is complete. 
That which appertains as a marked feature of the lumbar verte- 
brze is the length of the transverse processes; at least, this is espe- 
cially so in the penultimate and two preceding ones. They are thin, 
relatively narrow, excepting the first, and each terminates in a 
hastate manner. The first and last are shorter than the intervening 
