THE LIZARD. 141 



59. The basisphenoid (Fig. 35, b.s), continuing forwards 

 the basioccipital, with which it articulates by a straight 

 transverse suture, and thus forms the front half of the basis 

 cranii : its lateral edges give off the outstanding basiptery- 

 goid processes {b.pt), its front edge is continued into 

 a delicate bony style, the parasphenoid (/>a.s), which 

 underlies the posterior portion of the interorbital septum. 



60. The pterygoids, elongated paired bones on the 

 ventral surfaces of the skull, forming the inner boundaries 

 of the inferior temporal fossas; each articulates with the 

 corresponding basipterygoid process, is continued back- 

 wards and outwards as a process which applies itself against 

 the inner face of the quadrate, and is continued forwards 

 to about the middle of the inner edge of the palatine 

 foramen, sending off at the hinder boundary of that fora- 

 men a short, outwardly directed process. 



61. The transpalatine, or os transversum, a stout 

 bone extending between the maxilla externally and the 

 pterygoid internally, and forming, with the process of 

 the latter mentioned at the end of the last paragraph, 

 the postero-external boundary of the palatine foramen. 



62. The palatine, a flat bone continuing forwards the 

 anterior process of each pterygoid, and with it completing 

 the inner boundary of the palatine foramen : anteriorly 

 it sends a process outwards to the maxilla, thus completing 

 the palatine foramen in front, and is continued forwards 

 for a short distance, furnishing the hinder boundary of the 

 posterior nasal fossa. 



63. The vomers (vo), paired bones lying close to one 

 another in the middle line, in front of the palatines, by 

 which they are embraced posteriorly, while in front they 

 articulate with the premaxilla and maxilla ; they are strongly 

 convex below, concave above. 



