466 CLASS REPTILIA. 



which cannot be passed over in silence, as they are highly 

 interesting in the study of the philosophy of nature. 



The composition of the osseous cranium, resembles that of 

 frogs in the hinder and under part. But it differs from it 

 singularly in other respects. For example : it has no bone 

 forming a cincture in its anterior part ; as in the other 

 batracians, there are but two lateral occipital bones, but each 

 of them are intimately united to the part analogous to the 

 OS petrosum. 



The cranium, almost cylindrical, is widened towards the 

 face, which represents a semi-circle, and behind by two 

 branches disposed crosswise, and containing the internal 

 ears. 



As in the frogs, the vomeres are two in number. They 

 each give out a slender process, which like them supports the 

 palatine teeth. At the anterior and internal paries of the 

 orbit is a large membranous space. 



There are two frontal bones, in the terrestrial Salamander, 

 which are articulated in front with the proper nasal bones, 

 and laterally with the anterior frontals. 



The parietals flatted and wider behind, are also two in 

 number. The two occipital condyles are very much sepa- 

 rated from each other, and placed on each side of the occipital 

 foramen . 



The OS petrosum and the lateral occipital, are represented 

 by a single bone, to which are attached the pterygoidian, the 

 jugal, and the tympanic bones. 



The external apertures of the nostrils are very much sepa- 

 rated, which is in consequence of the breadth of the ascend- 

 ing processes of the intermaxillaries. The canal of the nasal 

 fossae is very short. The dentary portion of the maxillary 

 bones is carried backwards, but does not join the pterygoid 

 or jugal bone. The latter placed transversely on the ptery- 



