GALLINULOIDES WYOMINGENSIS EASTMAN 621 



the matrix. As referred to farther on, the dorsal and lumbar ver- 

 tebrae are considerably out of position, while all the free ribs are, 

 to a great extent, mixed up together. At least three of the left 

 costal ribs or haemapophyses have retained their places in articu- 

 lation and are in plain sight; they are the last three of the series 

 on that side. 



Passing to the pelvis, we are to observe that it is turned entirely 

 over, so that almost a direct ventral view is obtained of it. Pos- 

 teriorly, the left femur lies obliquely across it. 



Its sacrum is nearly in line with the dorso-lumbar section of the 

 spine; and as to the skeleton of the tail, all but the leading caudal 

 vertebrae are entirely out of sight, although I am inclined to think 

 that the severely ground-down chain of three or four little bones, 

 seen 3 . 5 cm. to the right of the left tarso-metatarsus, are the partly 

 exposed caudal vertebrae, though the pygostyle is not in view. 



The cervical portion of the spine is arched far backward over 

 the dorsum, which is often the case with dead birds found in nature 

 at the present time, and which appears to be due to the mode of 

 attachment of the dor.so-vertebral ligaments. 



In assuming this position, the skull was likewise carried back- 

 ward, although its ligamentous attachment to the atlas has been, 

 in part, freed. 



Almost a direct left lateral aspect of the sternum is presented, 

 and all this portion is beautifully exposed. Its characters are in 

 plain view, and will be described in full farther on in this article. 



The left coracoid has been but slightly dislodged from its cora- 

 coidal articular groove on the anterior part of the sternum, and is 

 consequently seen practically in situ with respect to the latter bone. 

 This is almost as true of the left scapula, for it occupies nearly a 

 normal position — -that is, with respect to its coracoid, the os fur- 

 culum, and the sternum. 



On the other hand, the right coracoid is entirely disassociated 

 from all the remaining bones of the pectoral arch, and now, with 

 its anterior surface exposed, it lies back of the os furculum, in con- 

 tact with the two clavicular limbs of its arch. We have in view 

 the antero-oblique surface of the furculum, and consequently we 

 have a left latero-oblique side of its hypocleidium exposed. 



