14 DESCRIPTION OF THE SKELETON. 



The glenoid cavity is eight inches long, and very narrow; but the 

 zygomatic ridge in front of it is smooth and very prominent, admitting 

 the movement of the condyle of the lower jaw in an anterior direction. 

 The pterygoid processes of the sphenoid are long, and have only an internal 

 plate ; but the pterygoid fossa is distinctly indicated. At the root of the 

 strong pterygoid process is a very large Vidian canal, which has a common 

 opening with the optic foramen. In the interval of the roots of the ptery- 

 goid processes exists a fossa about half an inch in diameter, through which 

 a wire can be passed to the extent of four inches, where it is interrupted. 

 Between the pterygoid processes is a large opening, leading to the posterior 

 nares : this is four inches across at its lowest part, gradually narrowing and 

 ascending. In the interior of this fossa is seen the septum narium, placed 

 at about two inches from the posterior aperture (Plate XVII.). This 

 extends forwards, and terminates in the large anterior nasal opening. On 

 the outside of the pterygoid processes is the very large inferior opening 

 of the zygomatic fossa, bounded externally by the sharp inferior edge of the 

 zygomatic arch, which terminates posteriorly in a rough process. Anterior 

 to the pterygoid processes is found the smooth, ill-defined posterior edge 

 of the palatine fossa, only four inches wide at its extreme posterior termi- 

 nation, and very thick. This posterior part of the palatine fossa is roughened 

 by a middle ridge, and two rough lateral ridges projecting from above 

 downwards. From this part the palate widens, and, passing between the 

 dental ridges, approaches the posterior molars; between these it narrows 

 again, and is five inches broad. Thence it gradually widens to the anterior 

 extremity of the molar teeth, where it is nine inches wide ; then narrows 

 between the sockets of the tusks ; and finally expands at the termination 

 of the sockets anteriorly, where it is ten inches broad (Plate IV. and VI.). 



