1882.] ANATOMY OF THE TODIES. 447 



In the two skeletons of that species which I possess the inanubrium 

 sterni is distinctly bifurcated, therein departing from the Momotidse 

 and reminding one of the Passeres, and of Merops, Harpaetes, &c. 



Careful examination of the skull of that species, as well as of one 

 of Todus dominicensis, has shown me that the lower edge of tlie 

 nasal septum is, for its entire extent, free from the inner edges of 

 the maxillo-palatine plates, a narrow fissure existing on each side 

 between it and them, along which it is possible, with care, to pass 

 the blade of a fine scalpel. In the Motmots (of which I have examined 

 skulls of the genera Momotus, Baryphthengus, and Hylomanes) the 

 maxillo-palatines, though apposed to each other in the middle line, 

 do not actually ankylose for the greater part of their length ; so that 

 if the skull be cut across transversely behind the line of union, and 

 the maxillo-palatines with their conn'ected bones separated from the 

 rest of the skull, the two lateral halves of the separated portion fall 

 asunder naturally, there being no union either between the maxillo- 

 palatines themselves (for the greater part of their extent) or between 

 them and the nasal septum, which here does not appear at all in 

 the roof of the mouth in this region. In the Todies, though the 

 septum thus appears, the maxillo-palatines are free altogether both 

 from it and from one another, apparently for their whole extent ^ 

 If this is so, the Todies are not " Desmognathce," and, inasmuch as 

 they lack the vomer altogether, cannot be included in any other of 

 Prof. Huxley's primary groups of Carinatse at all ! 



The vertebrae number 35, exclusive of the pygostyle, as already 

 correctly stated by Murie. Of these I reckon 1 5 as cervical, 5 dorsal, 

 8 sacral, and 7 caudaP. 



The close relationship of the Todidae to the Momotidse having 

 been so often urged by some of our best naturaUsts, it will be desi- 

 rable to point out succinctly some of the important points of difference 

 between them. 



The TodidjE, then, differ from the Momotidse, 



(1) In the non-union of the maxillo-palatines, these being attached 

 in the Motmots by harmonic suture. 



(2) In the lower margin of the nasal septum appearing in the 

 roof of the mouth between the free edges of the maxillo-palatines. 

 In the Motmots the nasal septum — which ankyloses with the maxillo- 

 palatines anteriorly — does not appear in the palate. 



(3) In the complete absence of a vomer, always represented in 

 the Momotidse by a small, but distinct, ossicle. 



(4) In possessing a well-developed lacrymal, quite absent (or early 

 ankylosed with the frontals) in the Motmots. 



^ It is impossible to state for certain how far anteriorly the maxillae extend, 

 from a study of the adult skull only ; but in Todus the osseous roof of the 

 mouth is incomplete as far forwards as the anterior end of the unusually large 

 nares, so that probably it is only by the union of the deutary plates of the pi »- 

 maxilliE that it is completely ossified here. 



^ Defining as " dorsal " all those, whether ankylosed to the sacrum or not, that 

 bear ribs united directly or indirectly with the sternum. Those that precetie, 

 whether or not bearing ribs, are " cervical ;" those that follow, and are ankylosed 

 together, are " sacral," the remainder being " caudal." 



