1894.] ON THE MYOLOGY OF RODENTS. 251 



" The bird-forms connecting the Paludicolw with other avian 

 groups are mostly not far to seek. It is plain that we have in the 

 Jacanidce a small group of birds that unmistakably link the present 

 suborder with the Limicolcv, through certain species in the Plover- 

 Sandpiper line. Through Podica and Heliornis it is equally clear 

 that they lead in this direction towards the Pygopodes, and such 

 existing ancestral types as Chionis probably connect them with 

 theLongipennes. Less remotely than through this latter affinity, 

 however, they are probably connected by various links with the 

 Herodiones, through Rliinochetus and Eurypyga. By some it 

 has also been claimed that the Paludicolce may also have Accipitrine 

 kinships through a line in which would occur such forms as the 

 Seriema and the Secretary-bird (Serpentarius). 



" Professor Fiirbringer believes that the Apteryges are far more 

 closely related to the Hcdlidce than has heretofore been realized ; 

 and if this prove to be true, another linking line for the Pcdu- 

 dicolce. is opened up to the Struthious types — with all the Oullincf 

 likewise only a little more remotely related." 



The following papers were read : — 



1. On the Myology of the Sciuromorphme and Hystrico- 

 morphine Rodents. By F. G. Parsons, F.R.C.S., 

 F.Z.S., F.L.S., Lecturer on Comparative Anatomy at 

 St. Thomas's Hospital. 



[Received February 12, 1894.] 



In commencing this series of dissections nearly three years ago, 

 I intended to work out the musculature of all the Bodents which I 

 could collect. Before long, however, the size of my manuscript 

 made it evident to me that I must be content to take up the 

 subject in two parts, and I have accordingly devoted my first 

 attention to the Hystrkomorpha and Sciuromorpha because I was 

 able to obtain a more representative series of animals in these 

 groups. 



The following is a list of the animals which I have dissected x : — 



Aulacodus sivindemianus. 

 Capromys pilorides. 

 Myopotamus coypus. 

 Octodon cumingii. 

 Hystrix cristata. 



Sphingurus prehensilis, 

 Lagostomus trichodactylus. 

 Chinchilla lanigera. 

 Dasyprocta cristata. 

 Coelogem/s paca. 



1 For the opportunity of dissecting these animals I am indebted to the 

 kindness of the Prosector to the Society, Mr. F, E. Beddard, F.E.S. 



