
observed in that part of the spine which corresponds to the dorsal and lumbar divisions, which in birds do not admit of motion; for here we find no variation, either in the spinal canal or the marrow, except where the numerous branches are given off to form the great sciatic plexus to supply the lower extremities, where it swells out into a bulbous shape corresponding to the cavity of the bone.” I conjectured that these muscles could have no other office than that of moving the lumbar vertebrae, and upon further investigation of the subject, I found other beautiful contrivances to facilitate its <u>lateral<\u> motion, whilst at the same time, motion in an antero-posterior direction is preven- ted, so necessary to flight; and the spinal marrow most completely protected from pressure. Cuvier, Blumenbach, Tiedman, Macartney, Vic d’Azyr, Carus, Earle, Dr Grant, and Dr Roget, particular passa- ges of whose works I have thought it right to transcribe*, have either denied the motion of the dorsal and lumber portion of the spine of birds altogether, or have spoken of it as existing in a very limited degree; or state that the apparatus * Mons Cuvier observes, “Les Oiseaux n’ont point de muscles pour partie dorsale de l’epine. Leur cou seul est mobile, il porte beaucoup de muscles” Lecons d’Anatomie comparative, Vol: 1. p. 199. And a few pages before this pas- sage, he has stated, “Autant le cou des oiseaux est mobile, autant leur dos est fixe. Les vertebres qui le compose ont des apophyses epineceres qui
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Manuscript details
- Author
- George Oakley Fleming
- Reference
- AP/28/6
- Series
- AP
- Date
- 1846
- IIIF
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Cite as
On Motion in the lumbar division of the spine of birds, by George Oakley Fleming , 1846. From The Royal Society, AP/28/6
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