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Show 1871.] PROF. W. H. FLOWER ON THE AUSTRALIAN CASSOWARY. 35 one which is ankylosed to the sacrum, This latter also bears distinct though small ribs, united on one side and free on the other, and clearly corresponds with the vertebra in the same position in the other species. The additional vertebra is therefore in the posterior dorsal, or lumbar region as it is sometimes considered. The united sacral vertebras do not appear to differ materially from those of the other species, though it is difficult to count the component elements ; the caudal region, however, is shorter by two vertebrae, unless these have been lost in preparing the skeleton, though the good adaptation of the surfaces of the bones that are present gives no reason for supposing that such has been the case. The sternum differs from that of the common species only in possessing five articular facets on each side for the sternal ribs, instead of four, and, of course, in its larger size. The pelvis and limb-bones appear to differ by this latter character only, as is shown by the subjoined Table of dimensions (all measurements taken in a straight line) : - Length of skull from tip of prae- Length of base of crest Length of beak in front of origin of crest Vertical height of crest from upper margin of orbit Greatest transverse diameter of Greatest width of skull (at the Greatest breadth of sternum ... Length of humerus manus tarso-metatarsus Breadth of lower end of ditto ... Length of inner toe of middle toe C. australis. in. 8*1 4-8 3-0 5-4 20 3-1 16-0 10-0 6-8 3-3 2*2 1*5 10-4 171 12-7 2-5 4-8 6-4 4-3 C. galeatus. Mus. Coll. Surgeons, No. 1356 B. in. 7*6 4-6 2-4 4-4 1-8 2-8 14-4 8-4 5-7 3-2 2-2 1-5 9-0 15-1 12*3 2-3 4-3 6-2 41 Mus. Coll. Surgeons. No. 1356. in. 7*0 4-4 2-0 4-6 21 2-9 13-8 8-0 5-6 2-9 1-9 1-3 8-9 14-6 11-3 2-3 4*3 5-8 4-1 Mr. Gerrard' s specimen. in. 7-2 4-7 2*5 3-8 2-0 13*5 8*2 5*3 2*9 2-1 1-2 8-9 14-9 11-3 2-2 4-2 5-5 3-8 |