394 



ANATOMY OF VEKTEBRATES. 



of larger ones, which gradually decrease in size as they are placed 

 further back. There are teeth of similar size and proportions in 

 each j)remandibular bone. These teeth are separated by intervals. 



266 



Dentitinu, upppi" j;iw. Python. ccL. 



from which otlier teeth, similar to those in place, have been 

 detached. Tlie base of each is anchylosed to a shallow alveolus, 

 extending obliquely across the alveolar groove, of which the outer 

 is higher than the inner wall. 



The palatine teeth, ib. 20, are as 



large 



267 



Hoof uf tlic 11 



as the maxillary, and 

 are similarly attached. The 

 pterygoid teeth, ib. 24, 

 which complete the inter- 

 nal dental series on the 

 roof of the mouth, are of 

 smaller size, and gradually 

 diminish as they recede 

 backward. In the inter- 

 spaces of the fixed teeth 

 in both of these bones, the 

 places of attachment of the 

 shed teeth are alwaj's visi- 

 ble ; so that the dental for- 

 mula, if it included the 

 vacated with the occupied 

 sockets, would express a 

 greater number of teeth 

 than arc ever in place and 

 use at the same time. 



Tlie smaller iion-vcno- 

 mous serpents, Co/ithr/do', 

 c. g. ha\'e two rows of teeth 

 on the roof of the mouth. 



