CHIMAEEOGALE. 147 



The tibia and fibula are united throughout one-haK their extent. The head 

 of the fibula arches forwards and outwards as a thin plate, and between it and the 

 articular surface of the external condyle is a rather large, somewhat irregularly 

 oval ossicle attached by its upper surface by a strong ligament, which is inserted into 

 a rather deep pit on the outer side of the external condyle immediately above its 

 articular surface. The groove or concavity on the front aspect of the lower end of 

 the conjoint tibia and fibula, and which marks the line of union of the two bones 

 at that part, is crossed from within, outwards and downwards, some little way above 

 the ankle, by a strong process from the tibial section, and of such length that it 

 almost touches the fibular side of the groove, to which it is connected by a strong 

 ligament forming an arch which confines the deep tendons. 



The metatarsus is considerably longer than the tarsus which is complete, but 

 wants the tibial sesamoid of Talpa and Anurosorex, and the os tarsus is but little 

 prolonged posteriorly. The digital phalanges, including the ungual, are but little 

 longer than the metacarpus, and the ungual phalanges are well developed and much 

 laterally compressed. 



The curves of the bones of the lower leg are evidently specially adapted to the 

 aquatic habits of the animal, and confer great strength on that member, combined 

 with lightness. The tibia, and the fibula to a less extent, are curved outwards to 

 the junction of the two bones, and from the latter point the united two are curved 

 inwards, but associated with this curve is the gentle backward and forward curving 

 of the lower leg generally. 



Measurements of skeleton. inches. 



Total leagth of vertebral column along curve* 5-25 



„ „ sacrum and tail • 3-67 



Length of pre and mesosterna ^ . . . 'Q7 



„ „ clavicle -33 



„ „ scapula '45 



Greatest breadth of scapula . , -11 



Length of acromion from base of metacromial process '08 



„ „ metaoromial process -10 



Length of humerus 'SO 



„ „ ulna . -58 



„ „ radius . '45 



„ „ carpus and metacarpus '23 



„ „ middle finger '24 



„ „ pelvis 78 



„ „ thyroid foramen "29 



Greatest breadth of thyroid foramen "13 



•Crest of ilium to anterior margin of acetabulum '35 



Posterior margin of acetabulum to extremity of pelvis "35 



Breadth of right side of pelvis across acetabular area ........ '17 



Distance between pubes anteriorly '12 



» „ r, posteriorly "25 



Length of femur '56 



» » tibia -81 



„ „ free portion of fibula ............ "37 



„ „ tarsus '25 



„ „ metatarsus (4th) '31 



., ^ fourth toe *35 



* Exclusive of atlas and axis. 



