Abstract
In most of the vertebrates, from the serpent to the ape, the two nasal bones extend from the frontal bone to the end of the nose, forming a bony roof over the entire length of the nose (fig. 1). In most members of the ape family and in the human family the two nasal bones begin at the frontal bone and extend only from the frontal bone to the end of the nasal portions of the maxillary bones, so that in man the two Fig. 1.—Examples showing that in most vertebrates from the snake to the ape the two nasal bones extend from the frontal bone to the end of the nose (N), forming a bony roof over nearly the entire length of the nose. Often the two nasal bones extend beyond the ends of the maxillary or premaxillary bones to form beaks or bills for defense purposes. nasal