14 Observations Upon the Morphology of 
to side, and much convexed in the anterio-posterior direc- 
tion. Just within the otic margin, on either side, we find 
the usual group of three foramina, for the passage of 
nerves and vessels (Fig. 4, 7.c., 8 and 9). Quitean excava- 
tion exists in front of the single, small and superiorly 
notched occipital condyle, above which is seen the rather 
large, subcircular foramen magnum. 
The occipital area on the posterior aspect of the cranium 
(Fig. 7) is faintly bounded by a raised, subcordate ridge, 
and the rather well-marked supra-occipital prominence is 
unpierced by any formina in either of my specimens. Re- 
ferring to the outline assumed by the foramen magnum in 
fowls, Darwin once more points out for us some of its 
varying features when he says that ‘‘the most remarkable 
character is the shape of the occipital foramen ;in G. ban- 
kiva the breadthin a horizontal line exceeds the height in a 
vertical line, and the outline is nearly circular ; whereas in 
Cochins the outline is subtriangular, and the vertical line 
exceeds the horizontal line in length. This same form 
likewise occurs in the Black Bantam above referred to, and 
an approach to it may beseen in some Dorkings, and in a 
slight degree in certain other breeds.” * 
Nothing worthy of special note, beyond what we alreauy 
know, cnaracterizes the small, intrinsic ossicles of the otic 
organ ; and in the eye we find from thirteen to sixten well- 
ossified ‘‘ sclerotic plates,” of which the anterior ones, as 
they are arranged in the circumpupilar circlet, are not so 
wide nor so deep as the more posterior ones ; indeed, as they 
pass round, overlapping each other in their course, they 
gradually increase in these dimensions, till we arrive at the 
hindermost one of all, whishis usually the biggest one. 
Directing our attention next to the mandible of Gallus 
bankiva, we find its furm accurately portrayed in Figures 
2 and 5, and it is seen to be a V-shaped bone, with a shul- 
low symphysis, and all its many separate elements here 
thoroughly fused in the adult Jungle Fowl. Lacking 
entirely a ramal vacuity, it also developes the badge of its 
tribe in the backward projecting posterior articular pro- 
cess (p. ap), so prominent in all gallinaceous species. 
*«* Animals and Plants Under Domestication.”’ Vol. I., pp. 315, 316. 
