Fig. 21. A dorsal, B ventral, and C lateral views of the skull
of a Newt (Molge cristata) × 2½ (after Parker).
The cartilage is dotted, the cartilage bones are marked with dots and
dashes, the membrane bones are left white.

1. premaxillae.14. pro-otic region of
2. anterior nares.exoccipito-periotic.
3. posterior nares.15. quadrate.
4. nasal.16. quadrate cartilage.
5. frontal.17. exoccipital region of
6. parietal.exoccipito-periotic.
7. prefronto-lachrymal.18. articular.
8. maxillae.19. articular cartilage.
9. vomero-palatine.20. dentary.
10. parasphenoid.21. splenial.
11. orbitosphenoid.22. middle narial passage.
12. pterygoid.II. V. VII. IX. X. foramina for
13. squamosal.the exit of cranial nerves.

On the ventral surface is the large parasphenoid (fig. 21, B, 10), which is widest behind and overlapped anteriorly by the vomero-palatines.

(2) The sense capsules.

The auditory capsules become almost completely ossified continuously with the exoccipitals; they have been already described.

The nasal capsules are large and quite unossified though they are overlain by membrane bone. They appear on the dorsal surface between the anterior nares and the nasal process of the premaxillae. They enclose the nasal organs, bound the inner side of the anterior narial opening, and are connected with one another posteriorly by a cartilaginous area.

Developed in connection with the nasal capsules are a pair of rather large nasals (fig. 21, A and C, 4), which lie on the dorsal surface immediately in front of the frontals. Each forms part of the posterior boundary of one of the anterior nares, and the two are separated from one another in the middle line by the nasal process of the premaxillae (fig. 21, A, 1), and the opening of the middle narial passage (fig. 21, A and B, 22), which passes right through the skull.

On the ventral surface of the skull and forming the greater part of the boundary of the posterior nares are two large bones, the vomero-palatines (fig. 21, B and C, 9). Each consists of a wide anterior portion, partly separated from its fellow in the middle line by the ventral opening of the middle narial passage, and of a long pointed posterior portion which is separated from its fellow by the parasphenoid, and bears a row of small pointed teeth formed of dentine capped with enamel.

(3) The jaws.

The upper jaw of the newt is a discontinuous structure divided into two parts, an anterior part which consists of membrane bones, the maxillae and premaxillae, and a posterior part which remains mainly cartilaginous.