THE COD. Sg 



the higher vertebrata : there is no true posterior zygapophy- 

 sis, but from the hinder end of the centrum arises on each 

 side a small vertical process, which fits outside the anterior 

 zygapophysis of the vertebra next behind. 



8. The transverse processes, large outstanding 

 plates of bone, which spring one from each side of the 

 centrum, and pass outwards, downwards, and backwards. 



The transverse processes are proportionally much larger in the 

 Haddock than in either of the other species. 



IV. In the rest of the trunk region, the following are 

 the chief points to be verified : — 



9. In the first vertebra or atlas the centrum is very 

 short from before backwards, the neural spine is vertical, 

 the transverse processes are absent, and the anterior zyga- 

 pophyses are very large and come into relation with the 

 posterior part of the skull (exoccipital bone, § 22); im- 

 mediately beneath each zygapophysis is a small articular 

 facet for articulation with a corresponding facet on the 

 exoccipital. The union between the skull and the atlas is 

 thus much more intimate than that between any two 

 vertebrae, and in consequence the atlas is, in preparation, 

 often left attached to the skull. 



10. In the next three or four vertebrae a gradual transition 

 is seen between the characters of the atlas and those of 

 the typical trunk vertebra described in §§ 6 — -8. 



11. The transverse processes in the anterior part of the 

 trunk region look almost directly outwards ; proceeding 

 towards the caudal region, they gradually increase in size 

 and come to look more and more downwards and back- ■ 

 wards, until in the last trunk vertebra they nearly meet. 



1 2. Between the ventral or proximal ends of contiguous 

 neural arches, spaces are left : .these are the intervertebral 



