On the Callorynclius Australis. 19 
to a corresponding set placed upon the summit of the 
skull itself. The depression of the upper piece would 
secure a firm hold, either on living prey, or any body 
moving rapidly through the water. The occipital ridge 
is very large, to give attachment to the large muscles 
which move the pectoral fins. The spinal column 
consists of one entire piece of tough elastic cartilage. 
There are no ribs or transverse processes: for about 
half the distance down the back you observe spinous 
processes; but in the lower half the column consists of 
a plain tube, enclosing the spiual marrow. This un¬ 
divided condition of the spinal column is seen in the 
cyclostome fishes ; and as the Chimera swims with great 
rapidity, the flexibility of the tail is indispensable. 
The scapular arch consists of one solid piece, attached, 
as in other fishes, to the occipital bone, and also to the 
last branchial arch. 
The inferior extremity is especially interesting from 
its quadruped-like form : here is, in reality, the pelvis 
in the fish. 
It has no solid union with the vertebral column. 
Attached to its anterior extremity are two organs of 
prehension, which are fixed by ligaments that admit 
of a high degree of mobility, and are either drawn into 
a cavity formed by a doubling of the skin, or are 
extended for the purposes of prehension during coition, 
to which function they especially belong. These organs 
of prehension terminate by a broad disc £ of an inch 
in diameter, which is beset with sharp recurved spines, for 
the purpose of retaining firm hold on the slippery skin 
of the female. Besides the cuticular covering, the body 
of the pelvis itself is hollowed for the reception of this 
organ. A small gland is seen, situated on the inner side, 
which terminates in a cartilaginous tube by the side of 
the toothed disc. Its secretion is of a viscid glairy 
c 2 
