PHYLOGENY OF THE PALZOGNATHZ AND NEOGNATH A. 157 
such coverts being included in each of these bundles. ‘The bases of these coverts 
form a series of partitions, dividing the post-axial border of the wing into a number of 
wide and deep compartments. 
Carpal covert and remex. (PI, XLV. fig. 12.) 
Two different sets of feathers seem to claim identification with these; one or other 
of which is invariably present in the Neognathe. The 1st metacarpal remex appears to 
me to represent the carpal remex of the Neognathe. ‘This is smaller than the rest 
of the metacarpal series and has a large major covert. In its position and its relations 
to the 2nd remex, it closely resembles the carpal remex of many Neognathe. 
The second set of feathers, referred to as possibly representing the Neognathine carpal 
covert and remex, lie immediately pre-axiad of the base of the major covert of the 
ist metacarpal remex; or, in others words, pre-axiad of the base of that feather which 
we have just tried to show may represent the carpal covert (c¢.c., Pl. XLV. fig. 12). 
The-identification of the covert must stand or fall by the quill. 
The possible carpal remex, ¢.7’., as we have just remarked, lies immediately 
pre-axiad of the supposed carpal covert (¢.c., Pl. XLV. fig. 12). Furthermore, for the 
purposes of identification, we may mention that this new remex, **, is seen to be 
serial with the ¢. mediw of the forearm on the one hand, and is the terminal feather 
to a transverse row of six on the other. In other words, it and its covert represents 
the Ist median and minor covert of the manus. In position, that is to say with regard 
to its relation to the lst metacarpal remex—which is also to be regarded as possibly 
representing the true carpal remex, ¢.7. fig. 12,—it very closely agrees with the relation 
between the carpal remex and the Ist metacarpal remex of Neognathe (cr, 
Pl. XLV. fig. 12). 
It does not seem possible to settle this question definitely. It may be that these 
two feathers now under discussion may, in the Neognathw, represent sometimes one, 
sometimes the other of these two sets. This seems the more probable when we 
remember the varying development and relations to the primary remiges which obtain 
in wings of Neognathe. 
If the first and most favoured interpretation of the identity of the carpal remex is 
correct, then it would seem that it represents, in Neognathe, the 1st metacarpal, not the 
Ist cubital remex, as was contended by Mitchell [62]. If the second interpretation is 
correct, then the carpal remex of the Neognathe is represented in Rhea by a median 
and minor covert of the metacarpus. 
T. majores.—On the cubitus these are slightly longer than their remiges, about 1 in. 
On the manus they are slightly shorter. It is significant to note that in the young of 
many JVeognathe the cubitals are at first shorter than their coverts; the coverts 
performing for a brief time the function of the quills, as in the case of young Galline. 
T. medie.—The median coyverts of the cubitus offer no features for discussion other 
voL. Xv.— Part V. No. 7.—December, 1900. 2A 
