Zur Morphologie des Säugethier-Schädels

Abstract

THIS contribution to the anatomy of the Mammalian skull treats chiefly of the comparative proportions of those of Carnivora and Ruminants. After quoting Prof. Huxley's dictum on the importance of making longitudinal sections of every skull in an ethnological museum, the author justly insists upon its applicability to comparative osteology; and begins by a discussion on the true cranio-facial axis. He reviews the definitions adopted by other writers, and describes it as extending from the anterior margin of the F. magnum to the F. cæcum, thus including the basi-occipital, basi-sphenoid, pre-sphenoid, and cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. He regards it not as a mere imaginary line drawn through the centres of these links in the chain, but as the actual solid elongated mass which they form when the surrounding parts are removed. Hence he speaks of the upper surface of the cranio facial axis, or, as he prefers to call it, the base of the skull, turned towards the brain, and its lower surface turned towards the pharynx and face.

Zur Morphologie des Säugethier-Schädels,

von Joh. Chr. Gustav Lucae. With three lithographic plates and eight woodcuts. (Frankfort, 1872.)