2 Osteology of Porzana Carolina. 
uniformly, to the cultrate edges at the side ; the under aspect 
of this portion being thoroughly concaved. 
A nasal has its anterior border so sculpt that holorhinal- 
ism is most perfectly produced (n); while its descending 
fork anchyloses with the premaxillary and maxillary in a 
manner most commonly seen among schizognathous birds 
generally. The lacrymal (/) freely articulates with the outer 
margin of the frontal bone, and somewhat below the plane 
of its superior surface. It isa very delicate structure in this 
Rail, consisting of a thin horizontal scale of bone, that pro- 
jects as a process behind (Fig, 2), and develops a twisted, 
spiculaform descending process in front, which has its 
free, lower end in life, well above the maxillary bar. 
The wing of the mesethmoid, though ample, does not 
entirely partition the orbital and rhinal cavities. It 
is of an oblong form, and has its supero-external angle 
fused with the outer rargin of the frontal. A large 
vacuity absorbs nearly the entire area of the inter-orbital 
septum, while the apertures on the anterior wall of the 
brain-case are far larger than is necessary for the mere 
exit of the nerves that pass out of them, the pair for the 
first nerves having merged into one foramen. 
Very frail, and of nearly uniform calibre, the infra-orbital 
bar connects the quadrate and maxillary by a gentle curve, 
where its suture can usually be made out, evenin the adult 
individual. 
Kither quadrate (q) has two tranverse facets upon its 
mandibular foot, the inner one being vertically cleft upon 
its anterior aspect. Its orbital process is broad and truncate 
at its extremity. The mastoidal limb is decurved, and sup- 
ports at its summit two articular heads. 
The sphenotic and squamosal processes are but fairly 
developed, though the valley between them is well marked. 
Below the latter projection the external osseous ear-conch 
is very large, and illy supplied by bony surrounding walls 
for its defence. Viewed upon this aspect, the lateral cranial 
walls are beautifully rounded and smooth to a fault. 
This condition of the external cranial superficies is 
uniformly extended to its convex vault above, as may be seen 
