The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 1 of 5] : $b Fossil mammaliaOwen, Richard
Science
The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle [vol. 1 of 5] : $b Fossil mammalia
Owen, Richard
Beagle Expedition (1831-1836); Mammals, Fossil; Paleontology -- South America; Zoology
In the Armadillo these foramina do not exist: in the Orycterope they are
present, but open beneath an overhanging ridge, which is continued from
them to the upper part of the anterior condyloid foramen on each side.
The sella turcica of the Orycterope is deeper and narrower than in the
Scelidothere; and is separated from the basilar occipital process by a
transverse ridge, which sends forward two short clinoid processes; two
smaller anterior clinoid processes project backwards from the angle of
the anterior boundary of the sella turcica. The foramina ovalia and
rotunda open in the same continuous groove, as in the Glossothere and
Scelidothere, but they are relatively wider apart; and the canal for the
third division of the fifth pair is shorter, and runs more directly
outwards.
The petrous bone in the Scelidothere is relatively larger than in the
Glossothere, but this probably arises from the precocious development of
the organ of hearing in the present immature specimen in obedience to
the general law. The trunk of the fifth pair of nerves does not impress
it with so deep and well defined a groove as in the Glossothere; the
elliptic internal auditory foramen (_k_) is situated about the middle of
the posterior surface; behind this is the aqueductus vestibuli; and
immediately posterior to the petrous bone is the foramen jugulare (_l_):
the shape of the os petrosum agrees more with that of the Armadillo than
with that of the Orycterope. An accidental fracture of the right os
petrosum demonstrates its usual dense and brittle texture, and at the
same time has exposed the cochlea with part of its delicate and
beautiful lamina spiralis. The conservation of parts of the organs of
vision in certain fossils, has given rise to arguments which prove that
the laws of light were the same at remote epochs of the earth’s history
as now; and the structures I have just mentioned, in like manner,
demonstrate that the laws of acoustics have not changed, and that the
extinct giants of a former race of quadrupeds were endowed with the same
exquisite mechanism for appreciating the vibrations of sound as their
existing congeners enjoy at the present day.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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