Memoir on the Dodo (Didus ineptus, Linn.) — John Shaqi
Memoir on the Dodo (Didus ineptus, Linn.)Owen, Richard
History
Memoir on the Dodo (Didus ineptus, Linn.)
Owen, Richard
Dodo
In the series of detached vertebræ, one (Pl. V. figs. 6 & 7) indicates
by its neural spine and hypapophysis a position at the base of the
neck. The centrum is barely an inch in length; its anterior surface
(ib. fig. 7, _c_) is narrow vertically, broad transversely; both
fore and hind surfaces indicate freedom and extent of flexure. The
hypapophysis has a broad, bituberculate base (ib. _hy_), but is limited
in fore and aft extent to the middle third of the under surface of the
centrum: its length is shown in fig. 6, _hy_. The parapophysis (fig. 7,
_p_) is slender, and expands at both attachments, with an indication of
a terminal surface. The diapophysis (_d_) has a larger costal surface:
it sends forward a convex ridge midway between the di- and zygapophysis
(_z_). The neural canal (fig. 7, _n_) has wider and more fully
elliptical outlets than the hinder dorsal vertebræ, in relation to the
greater extent of motion at the fore part of the series. I conclude
that a free pleurapophysis (_pl_) existed, indicating the present to be
the first of the dorsal series, as shown in Pl. III. The neural spine
is short, broad, obtusely pointed, with a vertically oblong syndesmotic
surface (fig. 7) before and behind. Each postzygapophysis (fig. 6,
_z′_) supports an anapophysial tubercle (_a_).
A cervical vertebra from a position just in advance of the above has
lost the neural spine, but retains the hypapophysis. This process
(ib. figs. 8 & 9, _hy_) is compressed and directed obliquely downward
and forward for an extent of 6 lines; the extremity is rounded:
the length of the centrum of this vertebra is 1 inch 3 lines; the
anterior articular surface is longest transversely, and concave in
that direction, convex vertically; the proportions and curvatures are
transposed in the posterior surface (fig. 9, _c_). The parapophysis
(ib. _p_) is continued from the anterior border of the centrum to the
middle; it is a depressed plate, confluent with the rib (ib. _d_).
The diapophysis forms a short, obtuse projection above its anchylosis
with the rib (ib. _pl_): this projects backward 7 lines in length,
terminating obtusely, and circumscribing a vertebrarterial foramen
(ib. _v_) of a full elliptic shape, 5½ lines in long diameter. The
surfaces of the præzygapophyses (_z_) are larger, and look more upward
and less inward, than in the preceding and the dorsal vertebræ: they
are very slightly concave. Those of the postzygapophyses (fig. 8,
_z′_), with a downward and slightly outward aspect, are in a similar
degree convex. The neural canal, as usual in the cervical series,
expands at its outlets, most so posteriorly (fig. 9, _n_); the middle
of the upper surface of the neural arch is impressed by an elliptical,
rough, ligamentous surface, which slightly rising in the middle is
the sole indication of a neural spine. The upper surface of each
postzygapophysis developes a tuberous anapophysis (figs. 8 & 9, _a_).
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