In the lower jaw, the articular surface is proportionably smaller in
many breeds than in the rock-pigeon; and the vertical diameter, more
especially of the outer part of the articular surface, is considerably
shorter. May not this be accounted for by the lessened use of the jaws,
owing to nutritious food having been given during a long period to all
highly improved pigeons? In Runts, Carriers, and Barbs (and in a lesser
degree in several breeds), the whole side of the jaw near the articular
end is bent inwards in a highly remarkable manner; and the superior
margin of the ramus, beyond the middle, is reflexed in an equally
remarkable manner, as may be seen in fig. 25, in comparison with the
jaw of the rock-pigeon. This reflection of the upper margin of the
lower jaw is plainly connected with the singularly wide gape of the
mouth, as has been described in Runts, Carriers, and Barbs. The
reflection is well shown in fig. 26 of the head of a Runt seen from
above; here a wide open space may be observed on each side, between the
edges of the lower jaw and of the premaxillary bones. In the
rock-pigeon, and in several domestic breeds, the edges of the lower jaw
on each side come close up to the premaxillary bones, so that no open
space is left. The degree of downward curvature of the distal half of
the lower jaw also differs to an extraordinary degree in some breeds,
as may be seen in the drawings (fig. 27 A) of the rock-pigeon, (B) of
the Short-faced Tumbler, and (C) of the Bagadotten Carrier of
Neumeister. In some Runts the symphysis of the lower jaw is remarkably
solid. No one would readily have believed that jaws differing in the
several above-specified points so greatly could have belonged to the
same species.
_Vertebræ._—All the breeds have twelve cervical vertebræ.[36] But
in a Bussorah Carrier from India the twelfth vertebra carried a
small rib, a quarter of an inch in length, with a perfect double
articulation.
The _dorsal vertebræ_ are always eight. In the rock-pigeon all eight
bear ribs; the eighth rib being very thin, and the seventh having no
process. In Pouters all the ribs are extremely broad, eight bear ribs;
the eighth rib being very thin and the seventh having no process. In
Pouters all the ribs are extremely broad, and, in three out of four
skeletons examined by me, the eighth rib was twice or even thrice as
broad as in the rock-pigeon; and the seventh pair had distinct
processes. In many breeds there are only seven ribs, as in seven out of
eight skeletons of various Tumblers, and in several skeletons of
Fantails, Turbits and Nuns.>
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account