SYSTEMATICALLY ARRANGED BY DR. T. T. KAUP. 
logous forms, which, in their own class we may also distinguish as 
Nose-bone-torso, or vertebrae animals, we shall only find the 
Grallatores. 
In this order we see the longest vertebral column with the greatest 
number of vertebrae,* the most gigantic, longest and meagrest forms, 
with the longest neck, the shortest wings, the longest legs, the 
shortest toes, with the most variable number (2-3-4) of them; among 
them we find the Apteryx, which, like the Gavialis, has the nostrils 
on the tip of the bill. All Grallatores may be called lazy in com- 
parison with other birds, as we may sufficiently observe in Ciconia 
and all Ardeidce. 
In this order we remark in the almost extinguished suborder, 
Brevipennes, Cuv., the characters we have pointed out most pure, 
and they therefore constitute the third suborder, in the same way 
as the Grallatores represent the third order of birds. 
Since the reptiles, as bone-animals, take indisputably the third 
rank as a class, thus must the Grallatores as an order, and in this 
the Brevipennes as suborder occupy the third rank for ever. 
The characters proper to the Brevipennes and Grallatores generally 
are, high gigantic meagre forms, with long necks, scanty develop- 
ment of the wings, greater perfection of the very long feet, casques 
upon the bill or front, imperfect tail or without tail, short toes, 
wanting the hind-toe, the nostrils near the tip of the bill, and an 
abnormous great bill. If we find a number of these characters in 
some families or suborders, then we assign to them as to the 
Grallatores and Brevipennes, the third rank in their orders, 
&c., &c. 
Thus are the Ramphastidw the third family among the Zygo- 
dactyly, because in them the greatest mass of bone appears in 
the bill, and among them should consequently be found the largest 
forms. 
Thus among the Ornithes the Bucerotidce are the third family of 
the Syndactyli, which by that family take the third rank as a sub- 
order. The Bucerotidce show enormous bills, long necks, and the 
most gigantic forms among all Ornithes. Among the I chthy ornithes 
* Cygnus, the Grallatorial type of its family, however, shows a greater nntnber 
of vertebra;. If the species of the Brevipennes were not mostly destroyed, the third 
family (Casuarida) would generally show the greatest number of vertebra with 
the greatest number of ribs. 
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