Page:Geology and Mineralogy considered with reference to Natural Theology, 1837, volume 1.djvu/164

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The most anomalous of all the characters of P. Dolichodeirus is the extraordinary extension of the neck, to a length almost equalling that of the body and tail together, and surpassing in the number of its vertebræ (about thirty-three) that of the most long-necked bird, the Swan: it thus deviates in the greatest degree from the almost universal law, which limits the cervical vertebræ of quadrupeds to a very small number. Even in the Camelopard. the Camel, and Lama, their number is uniformly seven. In the short neck of the Cetacea the type of this number is maintained. In Birds it varies from nine to twenty-three; and in living Reptiles from three to eight. We shall presently find in

sumes, in the renovation of its teeth, the character of Lizards, combined with the position of the perfect teeth in distinct alveoli, after the manner of Crocodiles.

The number of teeth in the lower jaw was fifty-four, which, if met by a corresponding series in the upper jaw, must have made the total number to exceed one hundred. The anterior part of the extremity of the jaw enlarges itself like the bowl of a spoon, to allow space for the reception of the six first teeth on each side, which are the largest of all.