VIU INTRODTTCTION. 



In small spirit-specimens the body is placed as nearly as 



possible straight, and the measurement taken in a straight line. 



These measurements are at best only approximate, and those 



taken from skins are still less exact, giving merely a general 



idea of the size of the animal. 

 Tail. — From the anus to the tail-tip. In spirit-specimens the 



point of the compass is placed quite within the anus in order 



to get to the true root of the tail. 

 Hind foot. — From the heel to the tip of the longest toe, not 



including the claw. This is the only really exact external 



measurement and should be taken with the greatest accuracy. 



The claw should never be included, as thereby a second variable 



factor is introduced. 

 Lower leg. — From the upper side of the knee to the sole of the 



heel, the thigh and foot being each in their normal position at 



right angles to the lower leg. 

 Ear. — Taken behind the conch, from the crown of the head to 



the tip of the ear. 

 In the Skull: — 



Basal length. — From the " basion,'' or lower front edge of the 



foramen magnum, to the " gnathion," or most anterior point of 



the premaxilla. 

 Nasals, length. — Greatest length, whether along the central 



suture or to one side of it. 

 Nasals, greatest breadth. — Greatest breadth of the two nasals 



together, generally across their posterior third. 

 Nasals, central breadth. — Between the tips of the ascending 



processes of the premaiillse. 

 Nasals, least breadth. — Least breadth behind the commencement 



of the naso-premaxillary suture. 

 Constriction, breadth. — Least breadth between the two orbito- 

 temporal fossae. When the narrowest point is behind the 



postorbital processes, as is usual, the measurement should be 



termed the " intertemporal," and not the " interorbital " 



breadth as it is often loosely called. 

 Palate, length. — From the " gnathion " to the back of the bony 



palate. 

 Palate, breadth outside m.' — Breadth between the external edges 



of the second molars of the two sides. 

 Palate, breadth insidem.' — Distance between the inner edges of the 



same pair of teeth. Half the difference between this and the 



previous measurement gives the actual breadth of the tooth. 



