Anatomy of the European Mole

position and shape is of the greatest importance in the wonderful form of the skeleton. For the manubrium extends from the second rib to the body of the axis vertebra, where the cube-shaped clavicles are attached, which results in the mole appearing to have no neck. The manubrium is armed with a crest, which projects such that its height exceeds the width of its base twice over. The very strong and broad pectoral muscles are attached to the crest, so that it can be compared to the sternum of birds, which possess those very large muscles attached to large crests in order to move their wings. The bat indeed has a broad sternum equipped with a crest, but it is so small and so little elevated that it cannot be compared to this one. It is necessary that the excellent muscular apparatus in the anterior extremities should have uniquely formed bones, such as the bones of the humerus (1).

1) Tab. I. Fig. 7. 8. See § 27.