SYNOPSIS OF CONTINENTAL VETERINARY JOURNALS. 11 
the difference depends upon the number of the component 
pieces of the spinal column, the effects of crossed heredity 
cannot show themselves in the same manner. Three con¬ 
ditions only can occur; either one or the other of the two 
types reproduces itself distinctly defined, or else there is a 
conflict between the two, and consequently irregularity in 
the rachidian forms.’ 0 These irregularities are almost infinite.’ 
M. Sanson has, in his Treatise on Zootechny, indicated many 
forms of irregularity. He recounts in the present work a 
new observation based on the examination of the skele¬ 
ton of an Oriental horse termed 'Emir’in the French 
studs. 
a In the skeleton of Emir the total number of pieces of the 
rachis is thirty-six; this is the number found in one of 
the natural types. The irregularity results from their 
arrangements in the four spinal regions. There is one less 
than usual in the dorsal, and one more in the sacral region. 
The last dorsal, which normally scarcely differs from the first 
lumbar except in the form of the transverse process, which bears 
a rib articulated with it, in this instance has become lumbar in 
consequence of the absence of this articulation, its horizontal 
arrangement, and its flattened form. The analogy of the 
rib with the costiform apophysis (transverse process) of the 
lumbar vertebra easily explains these forms of variation, 
which are very frequent. Generally that apophysis assumes 
in the first lumbar vertebra of subjects of Oriental origin 
at least by one of their ascendants, the figure and direction 
of the posterior external ribs. On the other hand, we can 
see that the last dorsal in the case of descent perverted by 
crossing of two types differing in the arrangements of these 
parts may have transverse appendages of a lumbar type 
rather than asternal ribs. The six lumbar vertebrae of Emir 
exhibit the regular form of the the natural type with 
thirty-six vertebrae. The bone which should have been the 
last lumbar has become the first sacral, not only by its articula¬ 
tion with the ilium, but also by the direction of its superior 
spinous process. This process in the true lumbar vertebra} 
extends obliquely downwards and backwards like that which 
precedes it, but in the first sacral the obliquity is in the 
opposite direction, so that between the last lumbar and first 
sacral there is a triangular space with its base superiorly 
placed, sharply marking the division between the two 
parts of the rachis. In Emir the first sacral has all the 
sacral characters, but is not fused with the next bone behind, 
as is usual. The same condition obtains in the last, which 
in this case is the sixth sacral. We see, then, that the 
