Observations on the tapir of America / [William Yarrell].

  • William Yarrell
Date:
[1829]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the tapir of America / [William Yarrell]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the teeth opposed to them, throughout the whole length of their con¬ tinuous surfaces. The second, third, and fourth molars of the upper jaw have each a small additional, but less elevated, point on the external anterior an^le, increasing somewhat in size from the second tooth back- wards. On cutting through the palatine bones for the more complete removal of the brain, the crown of another molar tooth was found on each side, posterior to, and somewhat within the line of range of the last exposed molar. This tooth is represented in the plate annexed, and exhibits the fifth tubercle of yet increased magnitude. The skin having been taken off for preservation, the cartilage of the septum narium was observed to be thick and strong, and the central ridge of the cranium very much elevated. The ligamentum nuchce con¬ sisted of three strong cord-like portions, two of which passing, in a parallel direction, from the elongated spinous process of the first dorsal vertebra, were inserted together upon the extreme superior pos¬ terior angle of the central ridge of the cranium, supporting the whole length of the elevated crest and mane. The third portion of this strong ligament passed beneath the other two, to be inserted into the most elevated part of the elongated spinous process of the vertebra dentata. The anterior portion of the sternum projected forwards, keel-like in form and rounded. The ribs were twenty in number on each side, the lumbar vertebree four. The tracheal cartilages were firm, but the rings were incomplete throughout- the lungs consisted, on the right side, of one large and one small lobe; on the left, of one large aiid two small lobes, bearing evident marks of inflammation. The pericardium Was loaded with fat, and appeared of unusual thickness; the heart presented nothing remarkable, but the arteries were particularly thick and firm in their coats. The (Esophagus was narrow, the stomach a single cavity, and rather small, measuring, when moderately distended with air, but eight inches from right to left, and 15J inches in circumference; the thick¬ ened about the pylorus, but as it was Considered desirable to preserve this organ entire, its internal surface was not examined. The stomach contained a loose mass of tow, hair, string, and shreds of cloth. The Spleen was narrow, thin in substance, and 12 inches in length. The liver was distinctly divided into four lobes, two of which, one
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