146 INSECTIVOEA. 



physes, and the inferior and tlie lower with the transverse processes. There are 

 chevron bones between each of the caudal vertebrae to the extremity of the tail, 

 each resting dhectly on its vertebra without the apparent intervention of hypapo- 

 pliyses. The form of these chevron bones is very remarkable. The iirst eight consist 

 of a central transverse rod resting on the articulation of two vertebrae, and termin- 

 ating externally on either side in a transversely narrow, but longitudinally long 

 expansion, so that when viewed from before backwards, they resemble the letter H . 

 In the remaining vertebrae, except the last four, the rod is mesially divided into two 

 equal halves, which are, however, in close apposition, while in the terminal vertebrae 

 the connecting rod is reduced to a mere rudiment. In the first two vertebrae the 

 lateral portions are much more ventrally and laterally expanded than in the others 

 behind them, and in the first vertebra they are directed shghtly backwards. In the 

 remaining vertebrae they do not project below their transverse rods, and they are 

 thus the cause of the flattened under surface of the tail in life, and moreover con- 

 tribute to produce the similar character which distinguishes its sides, the flattened 

 upper surface being due to a like character in the upper aspect of the vertebrae and 

 to the anterior and posterior dorsal processes. The lateral expansions appear as if 

 they were convoluted, osseous laminae, for they are marked by two, deep, longitudinal 

 sulci on their outer aspect, over the most internal of which there is a thin projecting 

 rim on its inner margin. This character is observable in the terminal chevron, but 

 to a less extent than in those before it. I am not aware that similar bones occur in 

 any of the other Sorlcklce, but it is probable that they wUl be found in Nectogale. 



The sternum consists of a presternal, four mesosternal pieces, the xiphisternum 

 equalling in length the last mesosternal segment and terminating in a rather long, 

 lingidate cartilage. The presternum is laterally expanded, its rod-like extremity 

 being prolonged on to the expansion as a well-marked median ridge. 



There are seven sternal and seven nonsternal ribs, and their cartilages are all 

 ossified. The cartilage of the first rib is expanded at its sternal end, and its outer 

 surface is much concave. 



The scapula is narrow, as in Tacliyura, and the metacromion and acromion 

 are well developed, as in shrews generally, but the former has a hook-like extremity 

 towards the acromion. The clavicle is attached to the ends of the acromion with- 

 out resting on it, and the latter is closely in contact with the outer side of the head of 

 the humerus which has the same form as in Sorex, with a well-marked, supra-condyloid 

 foramen. The carpus has a radiale, intermedium, ulnare, and pisi/brm, but no 

 ceiitrale, and the fourth and fifth carpels are confluent. The metacarpal bones are a 

 little longer than the first phalanges, wliich are rather feeble, the manus being to 

 the pes in the proportion of '54 to '87. The ilium is narrow, and its anterior 

 extremity diverges outwards and forwards, being concave on its external surface, 

 with a slight upward process on its superior border. The thyroid foramen is very 

 long from before backwards and moderately broad, its ischial and pubic borders 

 being narrow and thin. The symphysis pubis is widely separate and divergent from 

 below backwards. 



