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Show 1870.] DR. J. MURIE ON SAIGA TARTARICA. 461 edge of the inferior point of the lower lateral cartilage rests in the groove in front of the foramen. The malar orjugal bone (Ju) occupies between a fourth and a third of the orbital ring ; form3 a broad buttress, which rests on the antrum of the maxillary, and sends back a short narrow spur to join the zygomatic process of the temporal. Skull of male Saiga in profile, with nasal cartilages in situ. Na. Nasal. Fr. Frontal. L. Lachrymal. Mx. Maxilla. Pmx. Praemaxilla. Pa. Parietal. So. Supraoccipital. Eo. Exoccipital. Sq. Squamosal. Pmd. Paramastoid. Ty. Tympanic. Au. Auditory bulla. St. Styloid. Pt. Pterygopalatine. Ju. Jugal. UI. Upper lateral cartilage. LI. Lower lateral cartilage. /. Fibrous cord of nares. *S's. Sesamoid. Sp. Septal cartilage, its fibrous portion being partially removed. The premaxillaries (Pmx.), like the nasals, are conspicuous by their small size or abortive development. Each is no more than If inch in extreme length, and, unlike that of any other Ruminant, merely tips the maxillary, without the palatal portion reaching the vomer. Both limbs of each >-shaped premaxillary are much flattened from above downwards, the upper stouter one possessing only a very limited tendency to override the projecting process of the maxilla. The somewhat scalene-figured cheek-surface of the maxillary bone (Mx) has a pronounced masseteric ridge, which runs well up towards the orbit. In front of its anterior and lower end, perpendicular to the last premolar, are four large sieve-like foramina; and through these the thick infraorbital nerves reach the facial region. I have already spoken of tbe long nasal or ascending process of the maxillary which dovetails between the divergent lachrymal pieces ; but the opposite or rostral portion of the maxilla is equally interesting. This latter anterior segment, which forms the anterior palatine roof or prenarial floor, and in a less degree contributes to the outer PROC. ZOOL. Soc-18/0, No. XXXI. |
