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CLASSIFICATION OF THE CARNIVORA. 5 * This original and accurate observer fell a victim to his zeal for his favourite science, having died in 1851 from the effects of a dissection-wound. t " Observations relating to some of the Foramina in the Base of the Skull in Mammalia, and on the Classification of the Order Carnivora," by H. N. Turner, jun. (.P. Z. S. 18-18, p. 63). * This and all the figures, except figs. 9, 10, and 14, are taken from specimens in the Museum of the Uoyal College of Surgeons. All are of the natural size, except fig. 4, which is enlarged.Flower, William Henry. 1869. "On the Value of the Characters of the Base of the Cranium in the Classification of the Order Carnivora, and on the Systematic Position of Bassaris and other disputed Forms." Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1869, 4-37.

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CLASSIFICATION OF THE MAMMALIA. [chap. The classification and the names of the subdivisions used throughout this work correspond, in the main, with those given by Professor Huxley in his " Introduction to the Classification of Animals," 1869. The whole of the animals composing the class are arranged primarily in three natural divisions, which, presenting very marked differentiating characters, and having no existing intermediate or transitional forms, may be considered as sub-classes of equivalent value, taxonomically speaking, though very different in the numbers and importance of the animals composing them. Pecora y or true Ruminants, comprising the Deer, Giraffes, Antelopes, Sheep, Goats, and Oxen. The last three divisions constitute the order Ruminantia of Cuvier. 8. Hyracoidea, an order consisting of a single genus, Hyrax , a small animal having many affinities with the Perissodactyle Ungulata, with which it is often associated. 9. Proboscidia, represented at present only by the two species of Elephant and 10. Rodentia, a well-marked group, but with varied affinities, both to the Insectivora and Primates on the one hand, and to the Ungulata and Proboscidia on the other, and also to the Didelphia. This order contains the Hares, Rats, Guinea-pigs, Porcupines, Beavers, Squirrels, &c. II. The sub-class Didelphia comprises only one order, Marsupialia, consisting of animals presenting great diversity of superficial appearance and habits of life, although all united by many essential anatomical and physiological characters. skull, the sternum, and the ribs. CHAPTER III. THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN. General Characters .-The Vertebral Column consists of a series of distinct bones called Vertebrce , arranged in close connection with each other along the dorsal side of the neck and trunk, and in the median line. It is generally prolonged posteriorly beyond the trunk to form the axial support of the appendage called the tail. Anteriorly it is articulated with the occipital region of the skull. The number of distinct bones of which the vertebral column is composed varies greatly among the Mammalia, the main variation being due to the elongation or otherwise of the tail. Apart from this, in most Mammals, the number is not far from thirty, though it may fall as low as twenty-six (as in some Bats) or rise as high as forty (Ifyrax and Choloepus \ 1 The different vertebrae, with some exceptions, remain through life quite distinct from each other, though closely connected by means of fibrous structures which allow of a certain, but limited, amount of motion between them. The exceptions are,-near the posterior part of the trunk, in nearly all Mammals which possess completely developed 1 These numbers are not exact, owing to the uncertainty in the mode of reckoning the sacral vertebne. CHAP. III.] GENERAL CHARACTERS. n hinder limbs, two or more vertebrae become ankylosed together to form the " sacrum " the portion of the vertebral column to which the pelvic girdle is attached. As a rule, none of the other vertebrae are normally united ...