physes, and the inferior and the lower with the transverse processes. There are
chevron bones between each of the caudal vertebrae to the extremity of the tail,
each resting directly on its vertebra without the apparent intervention of hypapo-
physes. The form of these chevron hones is very remarkable. The first eight consist
of a central transverse rod resting on the articulation of two vertebrae, and terminating
externally on either side in a transversely narrow, but longitudinally long
expansion, so that when viewed from before backwards, they resemble the letter H.
In the remaining vertebrae, except the last four, the rod is mesially divided into two
equal halves, which are, however, in close apposition, while in the terminal vertebrae
the connecting rod is reduced to a mere rudiment. In the first two vertebrae the
lateral portions are much more ventrally and laterally expanded than in the others
behind them, and in the first vertebra they are directed slightly backwards. In the
remaining vertebrae they do not project below their transverse rods, and they are
thus the cause of the flattened under surface of the tail in life, and moreover contribute
to produce the similar character which distinguishes its sides, the flattened
upper surface being due to a like character in the upper aspect of the vertebrae and
to the anterior and posterior dorsal processes. The lateral expansions appear as if
they were convoluted, osseous laminae, for they are marked by two, deep, longitudinal
sulci on their outer aspect, over the most internal of which there is a thin projecting
rim on its inner margin. This character is observable in the terminal chevron, but
to a less extent than in those before it. I am not aware that similar bones occur in
any of the other Soricidce, but it is probable that they will be found in Nectogale.
The sternum consists of a prestemal, four mesostemal pieces, the xiphisternum
equalling in length the last mesosternal segment and terminating in a rather long;
lingulate cartilage. The prestemum is laterally expanded, its rod-like extremity
being prolonged on to the expansion as a well-marked median ridge.
There are seven sternal and seven nonsternai ribs, and their cartilages are all
ossified. The cartilage of the first rib is expanded at its sternal end, and its outer
surface is much concave.
The scapula is narrow, as in Tachyura,. and the metacromion and acromion
are well developed, as in shrews generally, but the former has a hook-like extremity
towards the acromion. The clavicle is attached to the ends of the acromion without
resting on it, and the latter is closely in contact with the outer side of the head of
the humerus which has the same form as in /Sbrar, with a well-marked, supra-condyloid
foramen. The carpus has a radiale, intermedium, ulnare, and pisiform, but no
centrale, and the fourth and fifth carpels are confluent. The metacarpal bones are a
little longer than the first phalanges, which are rather feeble, the manus being to
the pes in the proportion of ‘54 to ‘87. The ilium is narrow, and its anterior
extremity diverges outwards and forwards, being concave on its external surface,
with a slight upward process on its superior border. The thyroid foramen is very
long from before backwards and moderately broad, its ischial and pubic borders
being narrow and thin. The symphysis pubis is widely separate and divergent from
below backwards.
The tibia and fibula are united throughout one-half their extent. The head
of the fibula arches forwards and outwards as a thin plate, and between it and the
articular surface of the external condyle is a rather large, somewhat irregularly
oval ossicle attached by its upper surface by a strong ligament, which is inserted into
a rather deep pit on the outer side of the external condyle immediately above its
articular surface. The groove or concavity on the front aspect of the lower end of
the conjoint tibia and fibula* and which marks the line of union of the two bones
at that part, is crossed from within, outwards and downwards, some little way above
the ankle, by a strong process from the tibial section, and of such length that it
almost touches the fibular side of the groove, to which it is connected by a strong
ligament forming an arch which confines the deep tendons.
The metatarsus is considerably longer than the tarsus which is complete, but
wants the tibial sesamoid of Talpa and Av/u/rosorex, and the os tarsus is but little
prolonged posteriorly. The digital phalanges, including the ungual, are but little
longer than the metacarpus, and the ungual phalanges are well developed and much
laterally compressed.
The curves of the bones of the lower leg are evidently specially adapted to the
aquatic habits of the animal, and confer great strength on that member, combined
with lightness. The tibia, and the fibula to a less extent, are curved outwards to
the junction of the two bones, and from the latter point the united two are curved
inwards, but associated with this curve is the gentle backward and forward curving
of the lower leg generally.
Measurements o f skeleton. Inches
Total length of vertebral column along, c a r v e * ............................................................ 5-25
» sacrum- and t a i l ..................................................................... . g.gy
Length o f pre and inesostema . " .qj
„ „ clavicle . . . . . ,n<v
„ . . . : ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Greatest breadth of scapula . . . . . .
Length, of acromion from base o f metacromial p r o c e s s ........................................-08
„ „ metacromial process .................................................. .jq
Length o f humerus . . . _A
„ „ uina . . . I 1 ; I ; ; g ; ; ; E ; H
. radius . , . . ........................................................................................................................ -45
„ . „ carpus and metacarpus........................................................................................ .gg
„ middle finger . . . . . . . .g^
» » pelvis .............................................................................................................. .......
3> 3i thyroid fo r am e n ........................................................................................ .gg
Greatest breadth o f thyroid foramen . . . . . . . * .^3
Crest of ilium to anterior margin o f a c e ta b u lum .................................................. .gg
Posterior m argin of acetabulum to extremity, of pelvis........................................... " *35
Breadth o f rig h t side of pelvis across acetabular area . .................................................*. ! *17
Distance between pubes anteriorly . . . . . ' .^g.,
» 31 33 posteriorly. .. . . . . . . .gg
Length o f femur . . . . 1 1 “ * I I H »3>~ • „ free portion.of f ib u la ............................................................. " -y,
„ „ t a r s u s .............................. ...........................................................................................................
33 33 metatarsus (4th)
n 33 fourth t o e ............................................................ " ' " '35
1 Exclusive of atlas and axis.