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"The spinal column consists of abdominal and caudal vertebre, the coalescence of the parapophyses into a complete hemal ring and the suspension of the anal fin generally forming a sufficiently well-marked boundary between the abdominal and caudal regions." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Perch Skeleton

"The spinal column consists of abdominal and caudal vertebre, the coalescence of the parapophyses into…

"The vertebre of serpents are so formed as to admit a great pliancy of the body, which is capable of being coiled up, with the head in the center of the coil, and some serpents have the power of throwing themselves to some distance from this coiled position." — Chambers, 1881

Rattlesnake Skeleton

"The vertebre of serpents are so formed as to admit a great pliancy of the body, which is capable of…

"The prey of a serpent is oven thicker than the serpent itself, and to admit of its being swallowed, the throat and body are very dilatable. The bones of the head are adapted to the necessity of a great expansion of the mouth and dilation of the throat." — Chambers, 1881

Serpent Head

"The prey of a serpent is oven thicker than the serpent itself, and to admit of its being swallowed,…

"Magnified view of transverse section of the spinal cord through the middle of the Lumbad Enlargement: showing, on the right side, the course of the Nerve-roots, and on the left, the position of the principal tracts of Vesicular Matter. A, anterior columns; P, posterior columns; L, lateral columns; a, anterior median fissure; p, posterior median fissure; b, anterior roots of spinal nerves; c, posterior roots; d, tracts of vesicular matter in anterior column; e, tracts of vesicular matter in posterior column; f, spinal canal." — Chambers, 1881

Spinal Cord

"Magnified view of transverse section of the spinal cord through the middle of the Lumbad Enlargement:…