Fan. 26, 1871] 
NATURE 
251 

FLOWERS OSTEOLOGY OF THE MAM- 
MALIA * 
ROF. FLOWER’S “Introduction to the Osteology of 
the Mammalia” is a thoroughly satisfactory addition 
to English anatomical literature. It supplies a much-felt 
want, and combines the rarely united qualities of com- 

Fic. 1.—Anterior surface of vertebre of Dolphin (Glodiocephalus melas), 
}. a fifth thoracic; B seventh thoracic; c eighth thoracic; D first 
lumbar: » rib; m metapophysis; ¢ transverse process. The dotted 
lines indicate the position of the neuro-central suture. 
pleteness with brevity ; and, while thoroughly scientific, 
is remarkable for its clearness and simplicity of expression. 
Of convenient size for the pocket of the student, it con- 
sists of three hundred and thirty-seven pages of excellent 
letter-press, and is illustrated by one hundred and twenty- 

Fic. 2.—Anterior surface of vertebrz of Sperm Whale (Physeter macroce- 
phalus), 3 A eizhth thoracic; B ninth thoracic; C venth th: racic ; 
D fifth lumbar; rb; m metapophysis; # upper transverse process ; 
t’ lower transverse process. 
six woodcuts, nearly all original. These are exceedingly 
well drawn, and make the book attrac'ive in appearance 
(though it is to be regretted that they have sumewhat 
suffered in the printing), while the su jects chosen have 
evidently been selected with great care as regards their 
utility in illustrating the text. 
* “An Introduction to the Osteology of the Mammalia.” . By W.-H. 
Flower. F.R.S., Hunterian Professor of Comparative Anatomy and Physio- 
logy. (London; Macmillan and Co.) 


The first chapter contains a very short account of the 
classification of the Mammalia, accompanied by an in- 
teresting diagram “intended to exhibit the relationships 
which appear to exist between the different groups of the 
Mammalia.” The small size of this diagram hardly affords 
space enough to express fully the degrees of affinity be- 
tween the different groups. It is owing to this, perhaps, 
that the Carnivora are separated from the Ungulata by a 
less interval than that which divides them from the Insecti- 
vora, and that the Hominina are but very slightly more ap- 
proximated to the Simiina than are the latter to the Lemu- 
rina, although the structural difference between the last- 

Fic. 3.—Side view of twelfth and thirteenth thoracic vertebre of Grea 
Anteater (Myrmecophaga jubata), % _m metapophysis; ¢¢ facet for 
articulation of tubercle of rib; cc ditto for capitulum of rib: az anterior 
zygapophysis: az! additional anterior articular facet; fz posterior 
zygapophysis ; #21 and fz? additional posterior articular facets. 
named groups and all the higher primates are so great that 
Professor Flower himself hesitates “‘ whether they should 
be associated with the monkeys, or should constitute a 
distinct order by themselves.” Nevertheless, the diagram 
is very instructive, and well expresses the more important 
relationships existing between the groups as far as their 
affinities have been demonstrated, or shown to be pro- 
bable by the present state of zootomical science. 
Thus the distinctiveness, yet close affinity, between the 
ordinary Carnivora and the seals is made evident, as also 

Fic. 5 —Anterior surface of third 
lumbar vertebra of Great Ant- 
eater. } ¢ transver-e process ; 
m metapophysis: @z ante ior 
zygavophysis: @z', az? and az}, 
add tiowalanteriorarticular facets. 
Fic. 4.—Posterior surface of second 
Jumbar vertebra of Great Ant- 
eater, # #¢ transverse process; 
pz posterior zyzapophysis ; £27, 
pz*, and £23, addiuional posterior 
articular facets. 
the remoteness of the Sirenia from the Cetacea, and the 
approximation of the former to the Ungulata, 
The complex relationships of the subordinate groups 
of hoofed beasts are also well exhibited, and though, 
perhaps, some objection might be m ide to the position of 
the anomalous litile group, Hyracoidea, it would be diffi- 
cult to put it in any other spot not also open to criticism. 
A laudable desire not to increase too much the buik of 
his vo'ume has, doubtless, induced the author to mare his 
chapter on Classification so very bref. Icis, nevertheless, 
to be hoped that, in the next edition, it may be made at 
least as long again; as, in its present condition, the student 
