OPISTHOOOMl 



287 



variation as to the number of cervical vertebrae, which bear 

 long rib stylets. As a rule five complete ribs exist, of which 

 all bear uncinate processes. The sternum (see fig. 140) is ex; 

 ceedingly remarkable in its form. It is wider behind than in 

 front, with a pair of notches, and outside of these a pair of 

 foramina ; the keel is shorn away anteriorly, but Well deve- 

 loped posteriorly. The furcula, which is shaped like a fork 

 with nearly straight lines, is completely ankylosed on the 

 one hand with the coracoids, and l)y its median region with 



Fig. 140.— Sternum of Opisthocomus. 

 Side View. (Ai-teb Huxley.) 



Fig. 141. — Stekndm of Opis- 

 tlwcomus. Front View. 

 (After Huxley.) 



the spina externa sterni. The region of the furcula, however, 

 which comes into contact with the sternum was found by 

 Paekee to be a separate ' needle of bone,' which he regarded 

 as the intferclayicle (see p. 131). The scapula is provided in 

 the young with. a distinct suprascapula, segmented off from 

 the Scapula. 



The pelvis is especially compared by Huxley with that 

 of Coturnix ; it has no ileo-pectineal processes. , ', 



