The Deseado Formation of PatagoniaLoomis, Frederic Brewster
Science
The Deseado Formation of Patagonia
Loomis, Frederic Brewster
Paleontology -- Patagonia (Argentina and Chile)
Humerus, diameter of shaft 22 mm.
Humerus, greatest width of distal end 46 mm.
Humerus, width of trochlea 36 mm.
[Illustration: Fig. 58. Humerus—½ natural size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 59. Right front foot—½ natural size.]
The distal ends of the radius and ulna are preserved in specimen 3291,
as they were found in association with the carpus.
Radius, diameter of the distal end 29 mm.
Ulna, diameter just above styloid process 21 mm.
Ulna, diameter of styloid process 11 mm.
The carpus is carefully drawn, from which the various measurements
may be obtained. There is a tendency for the two rows of carpals to
alternate, but this is not advanced to any considerable degree. The
trapezium is entirely isolated from the other carpals, and lies as a
flattened scale, on the side of the upper end of Mc. II.
The metacarpals are closely crowded together, making a compact foot
with very little freedom of motion in its upper part. The three carpals
are of nearly equal length, though the third is slightly heavier and
longer than the others, but there is no tendency toward a further
reduction of the toes.
[Illustration: Fig. 60. Digit 4 of Rhynchippus from the side—½ natural
size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 61. Pair of sesamoids under Mc. IV—½ natural size.]
Metacarpus II, length 67 mm.
Metacarpus III, length 74 mm.
Metacarpus IV, length 69 mm.
Under each metacarpal are two small sesamoid bones which lie either
side of the low crest of the metacarpus. The toes are all short, with
flattened articular ends, which are cut under in a very oblique manner.
The second phalanx is much shorter than the others, while the distal,
or ungual phalanx, is the longest and highest of the three. Each ungual
phalanx is cleft by a deep narrow notch, much more suggestive of a claw
than a hoof. The phalanges of all the toes are subequal in size, so
that the measurements of the middle digit are given.
First phalanx of digit III, length 12 mm.
Second phalanx of digit III, length 8 mm.
Third phalanx of digit III, length 16 mm.
As preserved, the femur is crushed, and the distal end of the rotular
trochlea is weathered off, but all the other characters are well
preserved. The femur is slender, with a small rounded head. The greater
trochanter is heavy but does not project above the head, the lesser is
small but well marked; and the third is usually far down the shaft. Of
the two condyles the inner is the smaller and more convex.
[Illustration: Fig. 62. Right femur posterior side—½ natural size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 63. Right tibia and fibula posterior side—½ natural
size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 64. Calcaneum—½ natural size.]
SPECIMEN 3291
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