632 REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. 
fully accepted, by such an eminent authority, for instance, as 
Owen, whom the author very properly arraigns for his unphilo- 
sophic handling of the carpal-tarsal homologies. They are twonear 
bones, anchylosing together, and with the tibia, serving to form the 
characteristic avian bitrochlear malleoli; and one far bone which 
unites with the metatarsals. For these Prof. Morse accepts the 
determinations implied in Gegenbaur’s nomenclature, calling them 
tibiale, fibulare and centrale (astragalus, caleaneum and naviculare). 
Many interesting details of the form, time and mode of fusion, 
etc., in different species are given. The fourth bone is a “new” 
one, the recognition of which as an integral element of the avian 
tarsus we owe to Prof. Morse. Authors have described a so 
called “ process of the astragalus” in certain birds, and it has been 
stated that the astragalus of higher vertebrates represents the 
tibiale and the intermedium (of reptiles), connate ; but it remained 
for Prof. Morse to determine that a certain “ pre-tibial” bone of 
a species of heron, noted in Prof. Wyman’s manuscript, ae 
published, as finally uniting the astragalus to form a “ process 
identical with that described by Huxley, is a distinct tarsal element 
which, for anything appearing to the contrary, must be identified 
with the reptilian intermedium. We consider this view entirely 
reasonable —in fact, we know of no other warrantable conclusion 
from our present data, und we are thus prepared to adopt all of 
Prof. Morse’s views respecting the composition of the avian tarsus, 
without reserve or qualification. , 
If we must think that he has not been equally suc ae 
determining the structure of the carpus, we are at least prep™ 
to show cause for our lacking faith in some of his pe 
Respecting this segment the author writes: “In the fore 4 
or wing there are at least four carpal bones, two 
mal series, and two in the distal series. -a 
carpals occur, as in the” etc. The two of the near series sae a” 
that persist free in the adult carpus, well known as pan 
(or “ scapholunar ”) and *‘ cuneiform,” or, in better ope ae 
radiale and ulnare. The two far bones come of Paste fae 
resolution of the so-called “ epiphysis of the metacarpal pas ae 
carpal elements, one capping the mid-metacarpal, the ool 
annularis. Since the metacarpals of higher vertebrates; a 
that of the pollex, are well known to lack a proximal ep!P: 
part in question was early determined to belong to the . 
cessful in 
in the prost 
When more than four 
hysis, the : 
