OCR Text |
Show 1878.] PROF. A. H. GARROD ON PASSERINE BIRDS. 143 6. Notes on the Anatomy of Passerine Birds. Part IV. By A. H. GARROD, M.A., F.R.S. [Received January 7, 1878.] In my "Notes on the Anatomy of Passerine Birds," Part II., whilst discussing the systematic position of the Eurylaemidae, I mention that the method of insertion of the tensor patagii brevis muscle of the arm is unknown1. Through the kindness of Lieut.- Colonel Godwin-Austen, who has placed at m y disposal carbolized specimens of Psarisomus dalhousiee and Serilophus rubropygius, I have recently had the opportunity of dissecting these species, and am now able to state that in both of them the tendon of the tensor patagii brevis is perfectly passerine, agreeing precisely with the typical arrangement previously described by m e in the Order2-the two tendons which traverse the distance between the point where the main tendon joins the extensor metacarpi radialis longus and the elbow running independently and parallel as they course to their humeral attachment. In neither specimen was I able to dissect out the plantar tendons, because they were so dry and brittle that no amount of soaking would render them fit for observation. I was, however, able to determine some other anatomical points, including the existence of a single carotid artery (the left), a normal disposition of the vessels of the thigh (the main artery of the leg being the sciatic), the considerable size of the femoro-caudal, of the semitendinosus, and of the accessory semitendinosus, and the absence of the accessory femoro-caudal and of the ambiens muscles. Previous evisceration, I regret to say, prevents m y adding any thing with reference to the syrinx and the abdominal viscera ; nevertheless I think that now the vomer and the tensor patagii brevis are known to conform exactly with the Passerine type, all shadow of doubt as to the perfectly Passerine structure of the Eurylaemidae may be dismissed, notwithstanding the aberrant vinculum joining their deep flexor tendons. So far as its sternum is concerned, Psarisomus dalhousiee so closely resembles Euryleemus javanicus, as figured by Mr. Sclater in 'The Ibis'3, that no further remark with reference to it is necessary, except to draw attention to the unforked condition of the manubrium. M y specimen of Serilophus was too much shot for m e to make out its sternal peculiarities. 1 P. Z. S. 1877, p. 449. 2 P. Z. S. 1876, p. 508. s Third Series, vol ii., 1872, p. 179. |