Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 Excerpt:...another; in the constant confluence of the orbitosphenoids with the frontals, and in the meeting of the orbitosphenoids below the prosencephalon, upon the upper surface of the presphenoid; in the presence of distinct postfrontals, and the attachment thereto of the ectopterygoids, whereby they form an anterior point of suspension of the lower jaw, through the medium of the pterygoid and tympanic bones; lastly, in the connation of the prefrontals and lacrymals. In studying the osteology of the head of the python, as the type of the Ophidian Order, by the aid of the following description, the student may compare the disarticulated skull, No. 628, with that of the large skeleton, No. 602, in the Museum, Eoyal College of Surgeons: the bones are numbered as here referred to. The basioccipital, 1, is subdepressed, broadest anteriorly, subhexagonal; smooth and concave at the middle above, with a rough sutural tract on each side, and a hypapophysis below, produced into a recurved point. The hinder facet of the basioccipital is convex, forming the lower half of the occipital condyle, which is supported on a short peduncular prolongation. The basioccipital unites above and laterally with the exoccipitals and alisphenoids, and in front with the basisphenoid, upon which it rests obliquely, and it supports the medulla oblongata on its upper smooth surface. The exoccipitals, 2, 2, are very irregular subtriangular bones; each is produced backwards into a peduncular process, supporting a moiety of the upper half of the occipital condyle. The outer and fore part of the exoccipital expands into the irregular base of the triangle: it is perforated by a slit for the eighth pair of nerves; it articulates below with the basioccipital; it is excavated in front to lodge the petrosa...