In RODENTIA the shoulder girdle is of a rather primitive type. The scapula is generally high and narrow, somewhat as in Ruminantia; it differs, however, from the Ruminant scapula in having a high acromion, which is often, as in the Hares and Rabbits, terminated by a long metacromion. The development of the clavicle varies, and sometimes it is altogether absent. It is frequently connected by cartilaginous bands or ligaments (fig. 104, 7 and 9), on the one hand with the scapula, and on the other with the sternum. These unossified bands are remains of the precoracoid. Epicoracoidal vestiges of the sternal ends of the coracoids (fig. 104, 11) are also often present. In the CARNIVORA VERA the scapula is large, and generally has rather rounded borders. The spine and acromion are well developed, and the prescapular and postscapular fossae are nearly equal in size. The coracoid is very small, and the clavicle is never completely developed, being often absent, as in the Bears and most of their allies. In the Seals (Phocidae) the scapula is elongated and curved backwards, and has a very concave glenoid border. In the Eared Seals (Otariidae) the scapula is proportionally much larger and wider, the prescapular fossa being specially large, and being traversed by a ridge, which converges to meet the spine. [Illustration FIG. 104. DORSAL VIEW OF THE STERNUM AND RIGHT HALF OF THE SHOULDER-GIRDLE OF _Mus sylvaticus_ × 4. (After PARKER.) 1. postscapular fossa. 2. prescapular fossa. 3. spine. 4. suprascapular border unossified. 5. coracoid process. 6. acromion. 7. cartilaginous vestige of precoracoid at scapular end of clavicle. 8. clavicle. 9. cartilaginous vestige of precoracoid at sternal end of clavicle. 10. omosternum. 11. epicoracoid. 12. presternum. 13. first segment of mesosternum. 14. xiphisternum. 15. cartilaginous termination of xiphisternum. 16. 2nd sternal rib. 17. 1st vertebral rib.] In the INSECTIVORA the shoulder girdle is well developed and, as in Rodents, remains are met with of various parts not generally seen in mammals. In the Shrews the scapula is long and narrow, and has a well-marked spine, whose end bifurcates, forming the acromion and metacromion. The clavicle is long and slender, and is connected with the sternum and acromion by vestiges of the precoracoid. Considerable remains of the sternal end of the coracoid are also found. In _Potamogale_, however, there are no clavicles. In the Mole the shoulder girdle is greatly developed, and of very remarkable form. The scapula is high and very narrow, with the spine and acromion very little developed. The other shoulder girdle element is an irregular bone, which articulates with the humerus and presternum, and is connected by ligaments with the scapula. This bone appears to represent both the coracoid and the clavicle, being formed partly of cartilage bone, partly of membrane bone.