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Show 1884.] ON THE EDIBLE FBOG IN ENGLAND. 573 as the internal pterygoid process of the sphenoid, because later it fuses with that bone, and in the process squeezes the vidian nerve between it and the basi-sphenoid. (b) The middle piece remains throughout life as the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube. (c) The third portion, that connected with the malleus, degenerates into fibrous tissue, and becomes the anterior ligament of the malleus, and may be seen in the adult passing from the Eustachian cartilage to the head of the malleus. The diagrams exhibited (figs. 2 and 3, pp. 571, 572) show at a glance this transformation; and to make the picture complete the metamorphosis of the two associated cartilages has been added also. With regard to the morphological value of this bar, it requires very little perception to see at once that it is in man the representative of the palato-quadrate of Elasmobranchs, Amphibians, &c. In concluding let me remark that Nature fashions the most complex skull on precisely the same ground-plan as she does the simplest, and it must be evident to every thinking mind that the nearer we approach truth in these matters-" how simple do her ways appear." EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. PLATE LIII. Fig. 1. A longitudinal section of a Pike's skull, to show the situation of the premaxilla, pre-palatine, and vomer (after Huxley). The terminology is altered in accordance with the views of this paper. 2. The so-called parasphenoid of the Pike disarticulated. 3. The vomer of a human foetus at birth. 4. Longitudinal section of the skull of a human foetus at term, to show tbe situation of the vomer. 5. A n under view of the anterior part of the skull of Lepidosteus, to show the two so-called vomers (pre-palatines). The pre-maxillse have been removed (modified from Parker). In the figures 5, 6, 7, 8, the lettering is tbe same. Pre.m. premaxilla. Pre.p. Prepalatine. P. Palate bone. PLATE LIV. 6. The skull of Lacerta agilis, showing the relation of the pre-maxilla, pre-palatines, palatines, and vomer. 7. Skull of Wombat, showing the relation of the bones on bard palate as in last figure. 8. Hard palate of m a n (foetus at term) to show pre-maxilla, and the prepalatine portion of the superior maxilla, and palate bone, for comparison with figures 5, 6, & 7. 3. Notes on the Edible Frog in England. By G. A. BOULENGER, F.Z.S. [Received November 10, 1884.] (Plate LV.) In a communication in the July number of the ' Zoologist,' I reviewed the information collected up to that time respecting the occurrence of the Edible Frog, Bana esculenta, in England, and showed that the Frog hitherto found at various places (Foulmire fen in 39* |