324 
DR. R. W. SHUFELDX’S MORPHOLOGICAL 
Of the Remainder of the Axial Skeleton . — Prom a careful ex- 
amination of the vertebral column of both of these Trogons, I am 
enabled to present the subjoined table of data in regard to this 
part of their skeletons and in which both these species agree : — 
Number of cervical vertebrae without ribs 12 
The first cervical vertebra supporting a pair of free ribs = 13th. 
The first vertebra of the column wherein the ribs articu- 
late with the sternum by means of costal ribs is the 141 
Number of true ribs thus articulated 4 
Number of h gem apophysial facets on sternum 4 
Number of true dorsal vertebrae 5 
Number of vertebrae consolidated with pelvis 12 
Number of caudal vertebrae (free) including the pygo- 
style are 7 
It will be noted from this table, of course, that the pair of 
vertebral ribs attached to that vertebra here called the fifth dorsal 
have costal ribs that do not meet the sternum, but articulate 
with the hinder borders of the last pair of costal ribs that do. 
There is also a pair of ribs that spring from beneath the fore 
part of the sacrum, articulating with the first or anterior vertebra, 
that becomes consolidated with the pelvis. These ribs also meet 
short and free hgemapophyses below, which in their turn articulate 
with the posterior margins of the pair of first or leading “ floating 
ribs ” referred to in the foregoing paragraph. 
Neither the last pair of dorsal vertebral ribs nor the sacral 
vertebral ribs possess epipleural appendages ; consequently we 
have but five pairs of true vertebral ribs that do support these 
processes. 
And, further, we ascertain from the table that the total number 
of free vertebrae in the column before we arrive at the .first one 
that becomes consolidated with the pelvis is 18. 
Among the principal characteristics of the first twelve vertebrae 
of the column we are to note that the usual outstanding processes, 
such as the neural spines, parapophyses, and hyapophyses, are 
but feebly developed, being for the most part short and incon- 
spicuous. The superior spines of these vertebrae are most pro- 
minent in the axis and next following three or four segments. 
In neither of the specimens examined does a perforation exist 
in the cup of the atlas, while the neural arch of this vertebra is 
comparatively narrow. 
