The Vertebrate SkeletonReynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Science
The Vertebrate Skeleton
Reynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Skeleton
In the Horse and its allies (Equidae) the facial portion of the skull
is very large as compared with the cranial portion, the nasals and
nasal cavities being specially large. In the living species of the
genus _Equus_ there is no fossa between the maxillae and lachrymal, but
it occurs in some extinct species. The lachrymal and jugal form a
considerable part of the side of the face; and the orbit though small
is complete and prominent. The postorbital bar is formed by a strong
outgrowth from the frontal, which unites with a forward extension of
the squamosal. The squamosal may extend forwards and form part of the
wall of the orbit, a very unusual feature, as in most mammals the
squamosal stops before the postorbital bar. The palate is narrow and
excavated behind as in _Rhinoceros_; the palatines take very little
part in its formation. The glenoid surface for the articulation of the
mandible is very wide. The squamosal gives rise to small postglenoid
and post-tympanic processes, and the exoccipital to a large
paroccipital process. The tympanic and periotic are ankylosed
together, but not to any other bones.
In the SUBUNGULATA, the lachrymal and jugal do not form any
considerable part of the side of the face, and the maxillae commonly
takes part in the formation of the zygomatic arch.
_TOXODONTIA._ The skull in the Toxodontia shows several Artiodactyloid
features, while the manus and pes are of a more Perissodactyloid type.
The Artiodactyloid features are (1) the absence of an alisphenoid
canal, (2) the fact that the palate is not excavated behind, and that
the palatines form a considerable part of it, and (3) the fusion of
the tympanic to the squamosal and exoccipital, forming the floor of an
upwardly directed auditory meatus. The frontal has a fairly well
developed postorbital process, but the orbit is confluent with the
temporal fossa. The premaxillae is well developed, as is the
paroccipital process of the exoccipital, especially in _Typotherium_.
The mandible has a rounded angle and a coronoid process of moderate
size. In _Typotherium_ the ascending portion is very massive.
_CONDYLARTHRA._ As far as is known the skull of these generalised
Ungulates is depressed, and is frequently marked by a strong sagittal
crest. The cranial cavity is small, the cerebral fossa in _Phenacodus_
being exceptionally small. The orbit is completely confluent with the
temporal fossa.
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